diff --git a/target/arm/m_helper.c b/target/arm/m_helper.c
index d87b9ecd12..e7e746ea18 100644
--- a/target/arm/m_helper.c
+++ b/target/arm/m_helper.c
@@ -879,7 +879,7 @@ static void v7m_exception_taken(ARMCPU *cpu, uint32_t lr, bool dotailchain,
         }
 
         lr &= ~R_V7M_EXCRET_ES_MASK;
-        if (targets_secure || !arm_feature(env, ARM_FEATURE_M_SECURITY)) {
+        if (targets_secure) {
             lr |= R_V7M_EXCRET_ES_MASK;
         }
         lr &= ~R_V7M_EXCRET_SPSEL_MASK;