diff --git a/hermit/kernel/main.c b/hermit/kernel/main.c
index fc62a1a51..050b7a254 100644
--- a/hermit/kernel/main.c
+++ b/hermit/kernel/main.c
@@ -219,7 +219,10 @@ int smp_main(void)
 
 	while(1) {
 		check_workqueues();
-		HALT;
+		if (libc_sd >= 0)
+			PAUSE;
+		else
+			HALT;
 	}
 
 	return 0;
@@ -467,7 +470,10 @@ int hermit_main(void)
 
 	while(1) {
 		check_workqueues();
-		HALT;
+		if (libc_sd >= 0)
+			PAUSE;
+		else
+			HALT;
 	}
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/hermit/kernel/tasks.c b/hermit/kernel/tasks.c
index f0200f89a..858452d49 100644
--- a/hermit/kernel/tasks.c
+++ b/hermit/kernel/tasks.c
@@ -579,7 +579,7 @@ int wakeup_task(tid_t id)
 		}
 		spinlock_irqsave_unlock(&readyqueues[core_id].lock);
 
-#ifdef DYNAMIC_TICKS
+#if 0 //def DYNAMIC_TICKS
 		// send IPI to be sure that the scheuler recognize the new task
 		if (core_id != CORE_ID)
 			apic_send_ipi(core_id, 121);