diff --git a/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c b/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
index 31982d05d81a..88d9c1d5e5fb 100644
--- a/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
+++ b/arch/powerpc/kernel/idle.c
@@ -69,10 +69,15 @@ void cpu_idle(void)
 				smp_mb();
 				local_irq_disable();
 
+				/* Don't trace irqs off for idle */
+				stop_critical_timings();
+
 				/* check again after disabling irqs */
 				if (!need_resched() && !cpu_should_die())
 					ppc_md.power_save();
 
+				start_critical_timings();
+
 				local_irq_enable();
 				set_thread_flag(TIF_POLLING_NRFLAG);