diff --git a/configure b/configure
index 468aac58e2..40fa8cc26e 100755
--- a/configure
+++ b/configure
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ vnc_sasl="auto"
 vnc_jpeg="auto"
 vnc_png="auto"
 xkbcommon="auto"
-xen="$default_feature"
+xen=${default_feature:+disabled}
 xen_ctrl_version="$default_feature"
 xen_pci_passthrough="auto"
 linux_aio="$default_feature"