diff --git a/arch/xtensa/kernel/smp.c b/arch/xtensa/kernel/smp.c
index 4dc109dd6214..7bad78495536 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/kernel/smp.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/kernel/smp.c
@@ -341,6 +341,8 @@ void __ref cpu_die(void)
 	__asm__ __volatile__(
 			"	movi	a2, cpu_restart\n"
 			"	jx	a2\n");
+
+	BUG();
 }
 
 #endif /* CONFIG_HOTPLUG_CPU */