diff --git a/target/riscv/csr.c b/target/riscv/csr.c
index 7284fd8a0d..10ae5df5e6 100644
--- a/target/riscv/csr.c
+++ b/target/riscv/csr.c
@@ -131,6 +131,10 @@ static RISCVException ctr(CPURISCVState *env, int csrno)
 
 skip_ext_pmu_check:
 
+    if (env->debugger) {
+        return RISCV_EXCP_NONE;
+    }
+
     if (env->priv < PRV_M && !get_field(env->mcounteren, ctr_mask)) {
         return RISCV_EXCP_ILLEGAL_INST;
     }