diff --git a/core/ipmi.c b/core/ipmi.c
index bbc1a7b..59aa95f 100644
--- a/core/ipmi.c
+++ b/core/ipmi.c
@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@
 	}
 
 	lock(&sync_lock);
-	while (sync_msg);
+	while (sync_msg)
+		cpu_relax();
 	sync_msg = msg;
 	if (msg->backend->disable_retry && !opal_booting())
 		msg->backend->disable_retry(msg);