diff --git a/hw/intc/xics_kvm.c b/hw/intc/xics_kvm.c
index 51433b19b0..2df1f3e92c 100644
--- a/hw/intc/xics_kvm.c
+++ b/hw/intc/xics_kvm.c
@@ -257,6 +257,9 @@ int ics_set_kvm_state_one(ICSState *ics, int srcno, Error **errp)
         << KVM_XICS_PRIORITY_SHIFT;
     if (irq->priority != irq->saved_priority) {
         assert(irq->priority == 0xff);
+    }
+
+    if (irq->priority == 0xff) {
         state |= KVM_XICS_MASKED;
     }