diff --git a/tests/clitest.py b/tests/clitest.py
index 611f9d7cb..c9b1f6ec1 100644
--- a/tests/clitest.py
+++ b/tests/clitest.py
@@ -1086,6 +1086,7 @@ c = vixml.add_category("misc", "")
 c.add_valid("--help")  # basic --help test
 c.add_valid("--sound=? --tpm=?")  # basic introspection test
 c.add_valid("test-state-shutoff --edit --update --boot menu=on", grep="The VM is not running")  # --update with inactive VM, should work but warn
+c.add_valid("test-state-shutoff --edit --boot menu=on", grep="XML did not change after domain define")  # menu=on is discarded because <bootloader> is specified
 c.add_valid("test-for-virtxml --edit --graphics password=foo --update --confirm", input_text="no\nno\n")  # prompt exiting
 c.add_valid("test-for-virtxml --edit --cpu host-passthrough --no-define --start --confirm", input_text="no")  # transient prompt exiting
 c.add_valid("test-for-virtxml --edit --metadata name=test-for-virtxml", grep="requested changes will have no effect")
diff --git a/virt-xml b/virt-xml
index 5ed470f45..1fbf2bbbe 100755
--- a/virt-xml
+++ b/virt-xml
@@ -103,6 +103,12 @@ def get_domain_and_guest(conn, domstr):
     return (domain, inactive_xmlobj, active_xmlobj)
 
 
+def defined_xml_is_unchanged(conn, domain, original_xml):
+    rawxml = get_xmldesc(domain, inactive=True)
+    new_xml = virtinst.Guest(conn, parsexml=rawxml)
+    return new_xml != original_xml
+
+
 ################
 # Change logic #
 ################
@@ -522,6 +528,7 @@ def main(conn=None):
             # It's hard to hit this case with the test suite
             return 0  # pragma: no cover
 
+    original_xml = inactive_xmlobj.get_xml()
     devs, action = prepare_changes(inactive_xmlobj, options, parserclass)
     if not options.define:
         if options.start:
@@ -547,6 +554,9 @@ def main(conn=None):
     elif vm_is_running and not performed_update:
         print_stdout(
             _("Changes will take effect after the domain is fully powered off."))
+    elif defined_xml_is_unchanged(conn, domain, original_xml):
+        logging.warning(_("XML did not change after domain define. You may "
+            "have changed a value that libvirt is setting by default."))
 
     return 0