diff --git a/arch/arc/lib/start.S b/arch/arc/lib/start.S
index 90ee7e0..b2ba768 100644
--- a/arch/arc/lib/start.S
+++ b/arch/arc/lib/start.S
@@ -10,6 +10,22 @@
 #include <asm/arcregs.h>
 
 ENTRY(_start)
+	; Non-masters will be halted immediately, they might be kicked later
+	; by platform code right before passing control to the Linux kernel
+	; in bootm.c:boot_jump_linux().
+	lr 	r5, [identity]
+	lsr	r5, r5, 8
+	bmsk	r5, r5, 7
+	cmp	r5, 0
+	mov.nz	r0, r5
+	bz	.Lmaster_proceed
+	flag	1
+	nop
+	nop
+	nop
+
+.Lmaster_proceed:
+
 	/* Setup interrupt vector base that matches "__text_start" */
 	sr	__ivt_start, [ARC_AUX_INTR_VEC_BASE]