diff --git a/cpu-exec.c b/cpu-exec.c
index 5f88f3f..d170566 100644
--- a/cpu-exec.c
+++ b/cpu-exec.c
@@ -237,9 +237,8 @@
     barrier();
     env = env1;
 
-    if (exit_request) {
+    if (unlikely(exit_request)) {
         env->exit_request = 1;
-        exit_request = 0;
     }
 
 #if defined(TARGET_I386)