diff --git a/target/ppc/kvm.c b/target/ppc/kvm.c
index 9842b3bb124e..2c183f61e275 100644
--- a/target/ppc/kvm.c
+++ b/target/ppc/kvm.c
@@ -2494,7 +2494,7 @@ static void kvmppc_get_cpu_characteristics(KVMState *s)
         cap_ppc_safe_bounds_check = 1;
     }
     /* Parse and set cap_ppc_safe_indirect_branch */
-    if (c.character & H_CPU_CHAR_BCCTRL_SERIALISED) {
+    if (c.character & c.character_mask & H_CPU_CHAR_BCCTRL_SERIALISED) {
         cap_ppc_safe_indirect_branch = 2;
     }
 }