diff --git a/VAX/vax_cpu1.c b/VAX/vax_cpu1.c
index cb91fa54..a68bccc8 100644
--- a/VAX/vax_cpu1.c
+++ b/VAX/vax_cpu1.c
@@ -1521,6 +1521,7 @@ switch (prn) {                                          /* case on reg # */
     case MT_IPL:                                        /* IPL */
         PSL = (PSL & ~PSL_IPL) | ((val & PSL_M_IPL) << PSL_V_IPL);
         if ((VAX_IDLE_BSDNEW & cpu_idle_mask) &&        /* New NetBSD and OpenBSD */
+            (0 != (PC & 0x8000000)) &&                  /* System Space (Not BOOT ROM) */
             (val == 1))                                 /* IPL 1 */
             cpu_idle();                                 /* idle loop */
         break;