diff --git a/src/pylorax/__init__.py b/src/pylorax/__init__.py
index 2d74aac1..a816bd8f 100644
--- a/src/pylorax/__init__.py
+++ b/src/pylorax/__init__.py
@@ -232,6 +232,11 @@ class Lorax(BaseLoraxClass):
             self.installtree.yum.install(package)
         self.installtree.yum.process_transaction()
 
+        # XXX save list of installed packages
+        with open(joinpaths(self.workdir, "packages"), "w") as fobj:
+            for pkgname in self.installtree.yum.installed_packages:
+                fobj.write("{0}\n".format(pkgname))
+
         # write buildstamp
         self.write_buildstamp(path=self.installtree.root)
 
@@ -251,8 +256,6 @@ class Lorax(BaseLoraxClass):
         logger.info("moving stubs")
         self.installtree.move_stubs()
 
-
-
         # get the list of required modules
         logger.info("getting list of required modules")
         modules = [f[1:] for f in template if f[0] == "module"]