diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c b/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
index f6e2c3f29f6..9ac16d4e6c0 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/common/xtensa_idle.c
@@ -92,4 +92,11 @@ void up_idle(void)
   leave_critical_section(flags);
 #endif
 #endif
+
+  /* This would be an appropriate place to put some MCU-specific logic to
+   * sleep in a reduced power mode until an interrupt occurs to save power
+   */
+
+  asm("waiti 0");
+
 }