diff --git a/arch/x86/src/qemu/qemu_idle.c b/arch/x86/src/qemu/qemu_idle.c
index c1c9cb896a..630fd44c46 100644
--- a/arch/x86/src/qemu/qemu_idle.c
+++ b/arch/x86/src/qemu/qemu_idle.c
@@ -83,5 +83,7 @@ void up_idle(void)
 
   /* Sleep until an interrupt occurs to save power */
 
+  __asm__ __volatile__ ("hlt");
+
 #endif
 }