diff --git a/arch/metag/kernel/smp.c b/arch/metag/kernel/smp.c
index 232a12bf3f99..2dbbb7c66043 100644
--- a/arch/metag/kernel/smp.c
+++ b/arch/metag/kernel/smp.c
@@ -567,8 +567,7 @@ static void stop_this_cpu(void *data)
 {
 	unsigned int cpu = smp_processor_id();
 
-	if (system_state == SYSTEM_BOOTING ||
-	    system_state == SYSTEM_RUNNING) {
+	if (system_state <= SYSTEM_RUNNING) {
 		spin_lock(&stop_lock);
 		pr_crit("CPU%u: stopping\n", cpu);
 		dump_stack();