diff --git a/usr.sbin/bhyve/spinup_ap.c b/usr.sbin/bhyve/spinup_ap.c
--- a/usr.sbin/bhyve/spinup_ap.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/bhyve/spinup_ap.c
@@ -45,21 +45,20 @@
 #include "spinup_ap.h"
 
 static void
-spinup_ap_realmode(struct vmctx *ctx, int newcpu, uint64_t *rip)
+spinup_ap_realmode(struct vmctx *ctx, int newcpu, uint64_t rip)
 {
 	int vector, error;
 	uint16_t cs;
 	uint64_t desc_base;
 	uint32_t desc_limit, desc_access;
 
-	vector = *rip >> PAGE_SHIFT;
-	*rip = 0;
+	vector = rip >> PAGE_SHIFT;
 
 	/*
 	 * Update the %cs and %rip of the guest so that it starts
 	 * executing real mode code at at 'vector << 12'.
 	 */
-	error = vm_set_register(ctx, newcpu, VM_REG_GUEST_RIP, *rip);
+	error = vm_set_register(ctx, newcpu, VM_REG_GUEST_RIP, 0);
 	assert(error == 0);
 
 	error = vm_get_desc(ctx, newcpu, VM_REG_GUEST_CS, &desc_base,
@@ -87,7 +86,7 @@
 	error = vcpu_reset(ctx, newcpu);
 	assert(error == 0);
 
-	spinup_ap_realmode(ctx, newcpu, &rip);
+	spinup_ap_realmode(ctx, newcpu, rip);
 
 	vm_resume_cpu(ctx, newcpu);
 }