diff --git a/arch/mips/kernel/process.c b/arch/mips/kernel/process.c
index 463b71b90a00..99960940d4a4 100644
--- a/arch/mips/kernel/process.c
+++ b/arch/mips/kernel/process.c
@@ -63,8 +63,13 @@ void __noreturn cpu_idle(void)
 
 			smtc_idle_loop_hook();
 #endif
-			if (cpu_wait)
+
+			if (cpu_wait) {
+				/* Don't trace irqs off for idle */
+				stop_critical_timings();
 				(*cpu_wait)();
+				start_critical_timings();
+			}
 		}
 #ifdef CONFIG_HOTPLUG_CPU
 		if (!cpu_online(cpu) && !cpu_isset(cpu, cpu_callin_map) &&