diff --git a/virtualizationmanager/src/aidl.rs b/virtualizationmanager/src/aidl.rs
index 1781007..25516bb 100644
--- a/virtualizationmanager/src/aidl.rs
+++ b/virtualizationmanager/src/aidl.rs
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 use crate::composite::make_composite_image;
 use crate::crosvm::{CrosvmConfig, DiskFile, PayloadState, VmContext, VmInstance, VmState};
 use crate::debug_config::should_prepare_console_output;
+use crate::debug_config::is_ramdump_needed;
 use crate::payload::{add_microdroid_payload_images, add_microdroid_system_images};
 use crate::selinux::{getfilecon, SeContext};
 use android_os_permissions_aidl::aidl::android::os::IPermissionController;
@@ -318,6 +319,12 @@
             check_gdb_allowed(config)?;
         }
 
+        let ramdump = if is_ramdump_needed(config) {
+            Some(prepare_ramdump_file(&temporary_directory)?)
+        } else {
+            None
+        };
+
         let state = &mut *self.state.lock().unwrap();
         let console_fd =
             clone_or_prepare_logger_fd(config, console_fd, format!("Console({})", cid))?;
@@ -408,19 +415,6 @@
             }
         };
 
-        // Creating this ramdump file unconditionally is not harmful as ramdump will be created
-        // only when the VM is configured as such. `ramdump_write` is sent to crosvm and will
-        // be the backing store for the /dev/hvc1 where VM will emit ramdump to. `ramdump_read`
-        // will be sent back to the client (i.e. the VM owner) for readout.
-        let ramdump_path = temporary_directory.join("ramdump");
-        let ramdump = prepare_ramdump_file(&ramdump_path).map_err(|e| {
-            error!("Failed to prepare ramdump file: {:?}", e);
-            Status::new_service_specific_error_str(
-                -1,
-                Some(format!("Failed to prepare ramdump file: {:?}", e)),
-            )
-        })?;
-
         // Actually start the VM.
         let crosvm_config = CrosvmConfig {
             cid,
@@ -437,7 +431,7 @@
             task_profiles: config.taskProfiles.clone(),
             console_fd,
             log_fd,
-            ramdump: Some(ramdump),
+            ramdump,
             indirect_files,
             platform_version: parse_platform_version_req(&config.platformVersion)?,
             detect_hangup: is_app_config,
@@ -486,10 +480,6 @@
     part.flush()
 }
 
-fn prepare_ramdump_file(ramdump_path: &Path) -> Result<File> {
-    File::create(ramdump_path).context(format!("Failed to create ramdump file {:?}", &ramdump_path))
-}
-
 fn round_up(input: u64, granularity: u64) -> u64 {
     if granularity == 0 {
         return input;
@@ -979,6 +969,22 @@
     })
 }
 
+/// Create the empty ramdump file
+fn prepare_ramdump_file(temporary_directory: &Path) -> binder::Result<File> {
+    // `ramdump_write` is sent to crosvm and will be the backing store for the /dev/hvc1 where
+    // VM will emit ramdump to. `ramdump_read` will be sent back to the client (i.e. the VM
+    // owner) for readout.
+    let ramdump_path = temporary_directory.join("ramdump");
+    let ramdump = File::create(ramdump_path).map_err(|e| {
+        error!("Failed to prepare ramdump file: {:?}", e);
+        Status::new_service_specific_error_str(
+            -1,
+            Some(format!("Failed to prepare ramdump file: {:?}", e)),
+        )
+    })?;
+    Ok(ramdump)
+}
+
 fn is_protected(config: &VirtualMachineConfig) -> bool {
     match config {
         VirtualMachineConfig::RawConfig(config) => config.protectedVm,