diff --git a/arch/ia64/kernel/process.c b/arch/ia64/kernel/process.c
index 4158906c45aa..c613fc0e91cc 100644
--- a/arch/ia64/kernel/process.c
+++ b/arch/ia64/kernel/process.c
@@ -198,9 +198,13 @@ default_idle (void)
 {
 	local_irq_enable();
 	while (!need_resched()) {
-		if (can_do_pal_halt)
-			safe_halt();
-		else
+		if (can_do_pal_halt) {
+			local_irq_disable();
+			if (!need_resched()) {
+				safe_halt();
+			}
+			local_irq_enable();
+		} else
 			cpu_relax();
 	}
 }