diff --git a/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c b/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
index e9f321d74d85..d491052c8e0c 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
+++ b/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
@@ -50,9 +50,9 @@ void cpu_idle(void)
 
 	set_thread_flag(TIF_POLLING_NRFLAG);
 	while (1) {
-		ppc64_runlatch_off();
-
 		while (!need_resched() && !cpu_should_die()) {
+			ppc64_runlatch_off();
+
 			if (ppc_md.power_save) {
 				clear_thread_flag(TIF_POLLING_NRFLAG);
 				/*