diff --git a/arch/arm/src/s32k1xx/s32k1xx_progmem.c b/arch/arm/src/s32k1xx/s32k1xx_progmem.c
index c1ac94f0908..70d8c007cd3 100644
--- a/arch/arm/src/s32k1xx/s32k1xx_progmem.c
+++ b/arch/arm/src/s32k1xx/s32k1xx_progmem.c
@@ -77,6 +77,13 @@ static uint32_t execute_ftfc_command(void)
   uint8_t regval;
   uint32_t retval;
 
+  /* AN12003: only one FlexNVM operation can be executed at a time.
+   * Disable ISR during this time so an ISR doesn't cause a hardfault
+   * from a simultaneous read.
+   */
+
+  irqstate_t flags = enter_critical_section();
+
   /* Clear CCIF to launch command */
 
   regval = getreg8(S32K1XX_FTFC_FSTAT);
@@ -87,6 +94,8 @@ static uint32_t execute_ftfc_command(void)
 
   retval = getreg8(S32K1XX_FTFC_FSTAT);
 
+  leave_critical_section(flags);
+
   if (retval & (FTTC_FSTAT_MGSTAT0 | FTTC_FSTAT_FPVIOL |
                 FTTC_FSTAT_ACCERR | FTTC_FSTAT_RDCOLERR))
     {