diff --git a/target/hppa/translate.c b/target/hppa/translate.c
index 53e17d8963..b12525d535 100644
--- a/target/hppa/translate.c
+++ b/target/hppa/translate.c
@@ -2214,10 +2214,11 @@ static bool trans_mtsp(DisasContext *ctx, arg_mtsp *a)
 static bool trans_mtctl(DisasContext *ctx, arg_mtctl *a)
 {
     unsigned ctl = a->t;
-    TCGv_reg reg = load_gpr(ctx, a->r);
+    TCGv_reg reg;
     TCGv_reg tmp;
 
     if (ctl == CR_SAR) {
+        reg = load_gpr(ctx, a->r);
         tmp = tcg_temp_new();
         tcg_gen_andi_reg(tmp, reg, TARGET_REGISTER_BITS - 1);
         save_or_nullify(ctx, cpu_sar, tmp);
@@ -2232,6 +2233,8 @@ static bool trans_mtctl(DisasContext *ctx, arg_mtctl *a)
 
 #ifndef CONFIG_USER_ONLY
     nullify_over(ctx);
+    reg = load_gpr(ctx, a->r);
+
     switch (ctl) {
     case CR_IT:
         gen_helper_write_interval_timer(cpu_env, reg);