diff --git a/hermit/arch/x86/loader/entry.asm b/hermit/arch/x86/loader/entry.asm
index 538cabbb2..3babb7afd 100644
--- a/hermit/arch/x86/loader/entry.asm
+++ b/hermit/arch/x86/loader/entry.asm
@@ -208,7 +208,6 @@ L1:
     mov eax, cr4
     and eax, 0xfffbf9ff     ; disable SSE
     or eax, (1 << 7)        ; enable PGE
-    or eax, (1 << 20)       ; enable SMEP
     mov cr4, eax
 
     ; Set CR0 (PM-bit is already set)