diff --git a/drivers/parisc/power.c b/drivers/parisc/power.c
index bb0d92461b08..7a6a3e7f2825 100644
--- a/drivers/parisc/power.c
+++ b/drivers/parisc/power.c
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ static int __init power_init(void)
 	if (running_on_qemu && soft_power_reg)
 		register_sys_off_handler(SYS_OFF_MODE_POWER_OFF, SYS_OFF_PRIO_DEFAULT,
 					qemu_power_off, (void *)soft_power_reg);
-	else
+	if (!running_on_qemu || soft_power_reg)
 		power_task = kthread_run(kpowerswd, (void*)soft_power_reg,
 					KTHREAD_NAME);
 	if (IS_ERR(power_task)) {