(unsigned long)(crash_size >> 20),
                                        (unsigned long)(crash_base >> 20),
                                        (unsigned long)(total_mem >> 20));
+
+                       if (reserve_bootmem(crash_base, crash_size,
+                                       BOOTMEM_EXCLUSIVE) < 0) {
+                               printk(KERN_INFO "crashkernel reservation "
+                                       "failed - memory is in use\n");
+                               return;
+                       }
+
                        crashk_res.start = crash_base;
                        crashk_res.end   = crash_base + crash_size - 1;
-                       reserve_bootmem(crash_base, crash_size,
-                                       BOOTMEM_DEFAULT);
                } else
                        printk(KERN_INFO "crashkernel reservation failed - "
                                        "you have to specify a base address\n");