I tested with image zypper updates (for example GRUB2) and with: kernel-vanilla-4.12.14-lp150.12.45.1.x86_64 Boots as expected kernel-default-4.12.14-lp150.12.45.1.x86_64 Crashes after initrd load Image is done with Kiwi and as said boots with Vanilla. Memory is very low just for testing. As I use this in some other purposes I don't use QCow2-format. XEN Config is: name = "leap150" memory = "386" disk = ['file:/some/path/image.raw,xvda,w',] vif = [ "mac=00:16:3e:00:11:22,bridge=br1,vifname=test0" ] vnc = 1 vncunused = 1 vcpus=1 on_reboot = "restart" on_crash = "restart" kernel = "/usr/lib/grub2/x86_64-xen/grub.xen