diff --git a/src/xenconfig/xen_xl.c b/src/xenconfig/xen_xl.c
index 026cbcc..be194e3 100644
--- a/src/xenconfig/xen_xl.c
+++ b/src/xenconfig/xen_xl.c
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
 
 #include "virconf.h"
 #include "virerror.h"
+#include "virlog.h"
 #include "domain_conf.h"
 #include "viralloc.h"
 #include "virstring.h"
@@ -35,6 +36,8 @@
 
 #define VIR_FROM_THIS VIR_FROM_XENXL
 
+VIR_LOG_INIT("xen.xen_xl");
+
 /*
  * Xen provides a libxl utility library, with several useful functions,
  * specifically xlu_disk_parse for parsing xl disk config strings.
@@ -58,11 +61,46 @@ extern int xlu_disk_parse(XLU_Config *cfg,
                           libxl_device_disk *disk);
 #endif
 
+static int xenParseCmdline(virConfPtr conf, char **r_cmdline)
+{
+    char *cmdline = NULL;
+    const char *root, *extra, *buf;
+
+    if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "cmdline", &buf, NULL) < 0)
+        return -1;
+
+    if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "root", &root, NULL) < 0)
+        return -1;
+
+    if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "extra", &extra, NULL) < 0)
+        return -1;
+
+    if (buf) {
+        if (VIR_STRDUP(cmdline, buf) < 0)
+            return -1;
+        if (root || extra)
+            VIR_WARN("ignoring root= and extra= in favour of cmdline=");
+    } else {
+        if (root && extra) {
+            if (virAsprintf(&cmdline, "root=%s %s", root, extra) < 0)
+                return -1;
+        } else if (root) {
+            if (virAsprintf(&cmdline, "root=%s", root) < 0)
+                return -1;
+        } else if (extra) {
+            if (VIR_STRDUP(cmdline, extra) < 0)
+                return -1;
+        }
+    }
+
+    *r_cmdline = cmdline;
+    return 0;
+}
+
 static int
 xenParseXLOS(virConfPtr conf, virDomainDefPtr def, virCapsPtr caps)
 {
     size_t i;
-    const char *extra, *root;
 
     if (def->os.type == VIR_DOMAIN_OSTYPE_HVM) {
         const char *boot;
@@ -84,19 +122,8 @@ xenParseXLOS(virConfPtr conf, virDomainDefPtr def, virCapsPtr caps)
         if (xenConfigCopyStringOpt(conf, "ramdisk", &def->os.initrd) < 0)
             return -1;
 
-        if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "extra", &extra, NULL) < 0)
-            return -1;
-
-        if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "root", &root, NULL) < 0)
+        if (xenParseCmdline(conf, &def->os.cmdline) < 0)
             return -1;
-
-        if (root) {
-            if (virAsprintf(&def->os.cmdline, "root=%s %s", root, extra) < 0)
-                return -1;
-        } else {
-            if (VIR_STRDUP(def->os.cmdline, extra) < 0)
-                return -1;
-        }
 #endif
 
         if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "boot", &boot, "c") < 0)
@@ -132,19 +159,8 @@ xenParseXLOS(virConfPtr conf, virDomainDefPtr def, virCapsPtr caps)
         if (xenConfigCopyStringOpt(conf, "ramdisk", &def->os.initrd) < 0)
             return -1;
 
-        if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "extra", &extra, NULL) < 0)
-            return -1;
-
-        if (xenConfigGetString(conf, "root", &root, NULL) < 0)
+        if (xenParseCmdline(conf, &def->os.cmdline) < 0)
             return -1;
-
-        if (root) {
-            if (virAsprintf(&def->os.cmdline, "root=%s %s", root, extra) < 0)
-                return -1;
-        } else {
-            if (VIR_STRDUP(def->os.cmdline, extra) < 0)
-                return -1;
-        }
     }
 
     return 0;
@@ -503,7 +519,7 @@ xenFormatXLOS(virConfPtr conf, virDomainDefPtr def)
             return -1;
 
         if (def->os.cmdline &&
-            xenConfigSetString(conf, "extra", def->os.cmdline) < 0)
+            xenConfigSetString(conf, "cmdline", def->os.cmdline) < 0)
             return -1;
 #endif
 
@@ -554,7 +570,7 @@ xenFormatXLOS(virConfPtr conf, virDomainDefPtr def)
             return -1;
 
          if (def->os.cmdline &&
-             xenConfigSetString(conf, "extra", def->os.cmdline) < 0)
+             xenConfigSetString(conf, "cmdline", def->os.cmdline) < 0)
             return -1;
      } /* !hvm */
 
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..83ab975
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+name = "XenGuest2"
+uuid = "c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809"
+maxmem = 579
+memory = 394
+vcpus = 1
+pae = 1
+acpi = 1
+apic = 1
+hap = 0
+viridian = 0
+rtc_timeoffset = 0
+localtime = 0
+on_poweroff = "destroy"
+on_reboot = "restart"
+on_crash = "restart"
+device_model = "/usr/lib/xen/bin/qemu-system-i386"
+sdl = 0
+vnc = 1
+vncunused = 1
+vnclisten = "127.0.0.1"
+vncpasswd = "123poi"
+vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:66:92:9c,bridge=xenbr1,script=vif-bridge,model=e1000" ]
+parallel = "none"
+serial = "none"
+builder = "hvm"
+kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
+ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
+cmdline = "ignore_loglvl"
+extra = "SHOULD BE IGNORED"
+boot = "d"
+disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,hda,w,backendtype=phy", "/root/boot.iso,raw,hdc,r,backendtype=qdisk,devtype=cdrom" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.xml b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f750e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+<domain type='xen'>
+  <name>XenGuest2</name>
+  <uuid>c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809</uuid>
+  <memory unit='KiB'>592896</memory>
+  <currentMemory unit='KiB'>403456</currentMemory>
+  <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
+  <os>
+    <type arch='x86_64' machine='xenfv'>hvm</type>
+    <loader type='rom'>/usr/lib/xen/boot/hvmloader</loader>
+    <kernel>/tmp/vmlinuz</kernel>
+    <initrd>/tmp/initrd</initrd>
+    <cmdline>ignore_loglvl</cmdline>
+    <boot dev='cdrom'/>
+  </os>
+  <features>
+    <acpi/>
+    <apic/>
+    <pae/>
+  </features>
+  <clock offset='variable' adjustment='0' basis='utc'/>
+  <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
+  <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
+  <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
+  <devices>
+    <emulator>/usr/lib/xen/bin/qemu-system-i386</emulator>
+    <disk type='block' device='disk'>
+      <driver name='phy' type='raw'/>
+      <source dev='/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2'/>
+      <target dev='hda' bus='ide'/>
+      <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='0' target='0' unit='0'/>
+    </disk>
+    <disk type='file' device='cdrom'>
+      <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
+      <source file='/root/boot.iso'/>
+      <target dev='hdc' bus='ide'/>
+      <readonly/>
+      <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='1' target='0' unit='0'/>
+    </disk>
+    <interface type='bridge'>
+      <mac address='00:16:3e:66:92:9c'/>
+      <source bridge='xenbr1'/>
+      <script path='vif-bridge'/>
+      <model type='e1000'/>
+    </interface>
+    <input type='mouse' bus='ps2'/>
+    <input type='keyboard' bus='ps2'/>
+    <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' listen='127.0.0.1' passwd='123poi'>
+      <listen type='address' address='127.0.0.1'/>
+    </graphics>
+  </devices>
+</domain>
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f452af6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+name = "XenGuest2"
+uuid = "c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809"
+maxmem = 579
+memory = 394
+vcpus = 1
+pae = 1
+acpi = 1
+apic = 1
+hap = 0
+viridian = 0
+rtc_timeoffset = 0
+localtime = 0
+on_poweroff = "destroy"
+on_reboot = "restart"
+on_crash = "restart"
+device_model = "/usr/lib/xen/bin/qemu-system-i386"
+sdl = 0
+vnc = 1
+vncunused = 1
+vnclisten = "127.0.0.1"
+vncpasswd = "123poi"
+vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:66:92:9c,bridge=xenbr1,script=vif-bridge,model=e1000" ]
+parallel = "none"
+serial = "none"
+builder = "hvm"
+kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
+ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
+extra = "ignore_loglvl"
+boot = "d"
+disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,hda,w,backendtype=phy", "/root/boot.iso,raw,hdc,r,backendtype=qdisk,devtype=cdrom" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.xml b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f750e02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+<domain type='xen'>
+  <name>XenGuest2</name>
+  <uuid>c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809</uuid>
+  <memory unit='KiB'>592896</memory>
+  <currentMemory unit='KiB'>403456</currentMemory>
+  <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
+  <os>
+    <type arch='x86_64' machine='xenfv'>hvm</type>
+    <loader type='rom'>/usr/lib/xen/boot/hvmloader</loader>
+    <kernel>/tmp/vmlinuz</kernel>
+    <initrd>/tmp/initrd</initrd>
+    <cmdline>ignore_loglvl</cmdline>
+    <boot dev='cdrom'/>
+  </os>
+  <features>
+    <acpi/>
+    <apic/>
+    <pae/>
+  </features>
+  <clock offset='variable' adjustment='0' basis='utc'/>
+  <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
+  <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
+  <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
+  <devices>
+    <emulator>/usr/lib/xen/bin/qemu-system-i386</emulator>
+    <disk type='block' device='disk'>
+      <driver name='phy' type='raw'/>
+      <source dev='/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2'/>
+      <target dev='hda' bus='ide'/>
+      <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='0' target='0' unit='0'/>
+    </disk>
+    <disk type='file' device='cdrom'>
+      <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
+      <source file='/root/boot.iso'/>
+      <target dev='hdc' bus='ide'/>
+      <readonly/>
+      <address type='drive' controller='0' bus='1' target='0' unit='0'/>
+    </disk>
+    <interface type='bridge'>
+      <mac address='00:16:3e:66:92:9c'/>
+      <source bridge='xenbr1'/>
+      <script path='vif-bridge'/>
+      <model type='e1000'/>
+    </interface>
+    <input type='mouse' bus='ps2'/>
+    <input type='keyboard' bus='ps2'/>
+    <graphics type='vnc' port='-1' autoport='yes' listen='127.0.0.1' passwd='123poi'>
+      <listen type='address' address='127.0.0.1'/>
+    </graphics>
+  </devices>
+</domain>
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot.cfg
index f452af6..32b08e1 100644
--- a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot.cfg
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot.cfg
@@ -25,6 +25,6 @@ serial = "none"
 builder = "hvm"
 kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
 ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
-extra = "ignore_loglvl"
+cmdline = "ignore_loglvl"
 boot = "d"
 disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,hda,w,backendtype=phy", "/root/boot.iso,raw,hdc,r,backendtype=qdisk,devtype=cdrom" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c5b25af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+localtime = 0
+name = "XenGuest2"
+uuid = "c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809"
+maxmem = 579
+memory = 394
+vcpus = 1
+vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:66:92:9c,bridge=xenbr1,script=vif-bridge" ]
+kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
+ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
+cmdline = "root=/dev/xvda1 console=hvc0"
+extra = "SHOULD BE IGNORED"
+root = "SHOULD BE IGNORED"
+disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,xvda,w" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.xml b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4ab9e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+<domain type='xen'>
+  <name>XenGuest2</name>
+  <uuid>c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809</uuid>
+  <memory unit='KiB'>592896</memory>
+  <currentMemory unit='KiB'>403456</currentMemory>
+  <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
+  <os>
+    <type arch='x86_64' machine='xenpv'>linux</type>
+    <kernel>/tmp/vmlinuz</kernel>
+    <initrd>/tmp/initrd</initrd>
+    <cmdline>root=/dev/xvda1 console=hvc0</cmdline>
+  </os>
+  <clock offset='utc' adjustment='reset'/>
+  <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
+  <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
+  <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
+  <devices>
+    <disk type='file' device='disk'>
+      <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
+      <source file='/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2'/>
+      <target dev='xvda' bus='xen'/>
+    </disk>
+    <interface type='bridge'>
+      <mac address='00:16:3e:66:92:9c'/>
+      <source bridge='xenbr1'/>
+      <script path='vif-bridge'/>
+    </interface>
+    <console type='pty'>
+      <target type='xen' port='0'/>
+    </console>
+  </devices>
+</domain>
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0c503b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+name = "XenGuest2"
+uuid = "c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809"
+maxmem = 579
+memory = 394
+vcpus = 1
+localtime = 0
+on_poweroff = "destroy"
+on_reboot = "restart"
+on_crash = "restart"
+vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:66:92:9c,bridge=xenbr1,script=vif-bridge" ]
+kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
+ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
+root = "/dev/xvda1"
+extra = "console=hvc0"
+disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,xvda,w,backendtype=qdisk" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.xml b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4ab9e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline-extra-root.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+<domain type='xen'>
+  <name>XenGuest2</name>
+  <uuid>c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809</uuid>
+  <memory unit='KiB'>592896</memory>
+  <currentMemory unit='KiB'>403456</currentMemory>
+  <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
+  <os>
+    <type arch='x86_64' machine='xenpv'>linux</type>
+    <kernel>/tmp/vmlinuz</kernel>
+    <initrd>/tmp/initrd</initrd>
+    <cmdline>root=/dev/xvda1 console=hvc0</cmdline>
+  </os>
+  <clock offset='utc' adjustment='reset'/>
+  <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
+  <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
+  <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
+  <devices>
+    <disk type='file' device='disk'>
+      <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
+      <source file='/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2'/>
+      <target dev='xvda' bus='xen'/>
+    </disk>
+    <interface type='bridge'>
+      <mac address='00:16:3e:66:92:9c'/>
+      <source bridge='xenbr1'/>
+      <script path='vif-bridge'/>
+    </interface>
+    <console type='pty'>
+      <target type='xen' port='0'/>
+    </console>
+  </devices>
+</domain>
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.cfg b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.cfg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c512a05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.cfg
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+name = "XenGuest2"
+uuid = "c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809"
+maxmem = 579
+memory = 394
+vcpus = 1
+localtime = 0
+on_poweroff = "destroy"
+on_reboot = "restart"
+on_crash = "restart"
+vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:66:92:9c,bridge=xenbr1,script=vif-bridge" ]
+kernel = "/tmp/vmlinuz"
+ramdisk = "/tmp/initrd"
+cmdline = "root=/dev/xvda1 console=hvc0"
+disk = [ "/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2,raw,xvda,w,backendtype=qdisk" ]
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.xml b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.xml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f4ab9e6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/xlconfigdata/test-paravirt-cmdline.xml
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+<domain type='xen'>
+  <name>XenGuest2</name>
+  <uuid>c7a5fdb2-cdaf-9455-926a-d65c16db1809</uuid>
+  <memory unit='KiB'>592896</memory>
+  <currentMemory unit='KiB'>403456</currentMemory>
+  <vcpu placement='static'>1</vcpu>
+  <os>
+    <type arch='x86_64' machine='xenpv'>linux</type>
+    <kernel>/tmp/vmlinuz</kernel>
+    <initrd>/tmp/initrd</initrd>
+    <cmdline>root=/dev/xvda1 console=hvc0</cmdline>
+  </os>
+  <clock offset='utc' adjustment='reset'/>
+  <on_poweroff>destroy</on_poweroff>
+  <on_reboot>restart</on_reboot>
+  <on_crash>restart</on_crash>
+  <devices>
+    <disk type='file' device='disk'>
+      <driver name='qemu' type='raw'/>
+      <source file='/dev/HostVG/XenGuest2'/>
+      <target dev='xvda' bus='xen'/>
+    </disk>
+    <interface type='bridge'>
+      <mac address='00:16:3e:66:92:9c'/>
+      <source bridge='xenbr1'/>
+      <script path='vif-bridge'/>
+    </interface>
+    <console type='pty'>
+      <target type='xen' port='0'/>
+    </console>
+  </devices>
+</domain>
diff --git a/tests/xlconfigtest.c b/tests/xlconfigtest.c
index e997009..bad69ca 100644
--- a/tests/xlconfigtest.c
+++ b/tests/xlconfigtest.c
@@ -180,29 +180,45 @@ mymain(void)
     if (!(xmlopt = libxlCreateXMLConf()))
         return EXIT_FAILURE;
 
-#define DO_TEST(name)                                                   \
+#define DO_TEST_PARSE(name)                                             \
     do {                                                                \
         struct testInfo info0 = { name, 0 };                            \
-        struct testInfo info1 = { name, 1 };                            \
-        if (virtTestRun("Xen XM-2-XML Parse  " name,                    \
+        if (virtTestRun("Xen XL-2-XML Parse  " name,                    \
                         testCompareHelper, &info0) < 0)                 \
             ret = -1;                                                   \
-        if (virtTestRun("Xen XM-2-XML Format " name,                    \
+    } while (0)
+
+#define DO_TEST_FORMAT(name)                                            \
+    do {                                                                \
+        struct testInfo info1 = { name, 1 };                            \
+        if (virtTestRun("Xen XL-2-XML Format " name,                    \
                         testCompareHelper, &info1) < 0)                 \
             ret = -1;                                                   \
     } while (0)
 
+#define DO_TEST(name)                                                   \
+    do {                                                                \
+        DO_TEST_PARSE(name);                                            \
+        DO_TEST_FORMAT(name);                                           \
+    } while (0)
+
     DO_TEST("paravirt-maxvcpus");
     DO_TEST("new-disk");
     DO_TEST("spice");
     DO_TEST("spice-features");
     DO_TEST("vif-rate");
 
+    DO_TEST("paravirt-cmdline");
+    DO_TEST_FORMAT("paravirt-cmdline-extra-root");
+    DO_TEST_FORMAT("paravirt-cmdline-bogus-extra-root");
+
 #ifdef LIBXL_HAVE_BUILDINFO_USBDEVICE_LIST
     DO_TEST("fullvirt-multiusb");
 #endif
 #ifdef LIBXL_HAVE_BUILDINFO_KERNEL
     DO_TEST("fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot");
+    DO_TEST_FORMAT("fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-extra");
+    DO_TEST_FORMAT("fullvirt-direct-kernel-boot-bogus-extra");
 #endif
 
     virObjectUnref(caps);
