Tip: Remove xen-runtime from kernel-xen repository

Lately I've been messing with Xen.

In the process of using the kernel-xen repository I came across the following situation while attempting to uninstall xen-runtime:

1. # yum remove xen-runtime
Loaded plugins: fastestmirror, refresh-packagekit, security
Setting up Remove Process

Resolving Dependencies

--> Running transaction check
---> Package xen-runtime.x86_64 0:4.1.2-8.el6 will be erased
--> Finished Dependency Resolution
Dependencies Resolved
==================================================================
  Package Arch Version Repository Size
================================================================== Removing:
  xen-runtime x86_64 4.1.2-8.el6 @kernel-xen 8.0 M

Transaction Summary
==================================================================
Remove 1 Package(s)

Installed size: 8.0 M
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
Error in PREUN scriptlet in rpm package xen-runtime
xen-runtime-4.1.2-8.el6.x86_64 was supposed to be removed but is not!
  Verifying : xen-runtime-4.1.2-8.el6.x86_64 1/1

Failed:
  xen-runtime.x86_64 0:4.1.2-8.el6
Complete!
2. # rpm -e xen-runtime
/var/tmp/rpm-tmp.LcPd6z: line 5: /bin/systemctl: No such file or directoryerror: %preun(xen-runtime-4.1.2-8.el6.x86_64) scriptlet failed, exit status 127

To remove the little bastard the --nopreun needs to be passed down to rpm -e. By doing so the execution of the %preun scriptlet is turned off thus allowing rpm to uninstall the offending package, like so:

1. # rpm -e --nopreun xen-runtime

Done!

Now I can go back to messing with Xen ;)