diff --git a/kernel/printk/printk.c b/kernel/printk/printk.c
index a1aecf44ab07..32fac391ac2a 100644
--- a/kernel/printk/printk.c
+++ b/kernel/printk/printk.c
@@ -1176,7 +1176,7 @@ static void boot_delay_msec(int level)
 	unsigned long long k;
 	unsigned long timeout;
 
-	if ((boot_delay == 0 || system_state != SYSTEM_BOOTING)
+	if ((boot_delay == 0 || system_state >= SYSTEM_RUNNING)
 		|| suppress_message_printing(level)) {
 		return;
 	}