diff --git a/arch/xtensa/platforms/xtfpga/setup.c b/arch/xtensa/platforms/xtfpga/setup.c
index 59b7f11f2a3e..538e6748e85a 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/platforms/xtfpga/setup.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/platforms/xtfpga/setup.c
@@ -51,8 +51,12 @@ void platform_power_off(void)
 
 void platform_restart(void)
 {
-	/* Flush and reset the mmu, simulate a processor reset, and
-	 * jump to the reset vector. */
+	/* Try software reset first. */
+	WRITE_ONCE(*(u32 *)XTFPGA_SWRST_VADDR, 0xdead);
+
+	/* If software reset did not work, flush and reset the mmu,
+	 * simulate a processor reset, and jump to the reset vector.
+	 */
 	cpu_reset();
 	/* control never gets here */
 }