diff --git a/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_32.c b/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_32.c
index 288e16283ef9..9103652058c4 100644
--- a/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_32.c
+++ b/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_32.c
@@ -339,7 +339,8 @@ static void error(char *x)
 	putstr(x);
 	putstr("\n\n -- System halted");
 
-	while(1);	/* Halt */
+	while (1)
+		asm("hlt");
 }
 
 asmlinkage void decompress_kernel(void *rmode, unsigned long end,
diff --git a/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_64.c b/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_64.c
index 7d8338e21b00..8494f0dcff21 100644
--- a/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_64.c
+++ b/arch/x86/boot/compressed/misc_64.c
@@ -338,7 +338,8 @@ static void error(char *x)
 	putstr(x);
 	putstr("\n\n -- System halted");
 
-	while(1);	/* Halt */
+	while (1)
+		asm("hlt");
 }
 
 asmlinkage void decompress_kernel(void *rmode, unsigned long heap,