diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c b/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
index ba6c415e130..83cd937bd12 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
@@ -73,5 +73,8 @@ void up_idle(void)
    * sleep in a reduced power mode until an interrupt occurs to save power
    */
 
+#if XCHAL_HAVE_INTERRUPTS
+  __asm__ __volatile__ ("waiti 0");
+#endif
 #endif
 }