diff --git a/arch/arm/mach-exynos/platsmp.c b/arch/arm/mach-exynos/platsmp.c
index a825bca2a2b6..48f950d0b70e 100644
--- a/arch/arm/mach-exynos/platsmp.c
+++ b/arch/arm/mach-exynos/platsmp.c
@@ -337,6 +337,9 @@ static int exynos_boot_secondary(unsigned int cpu, struct task_struct *idle)
 		udelay(10);
 	}
 
+	if (pen_release != -1)
+		ret = -ETIMEDOUT;
+
 	/*
 	 * now the secondary core is starting up let it run its
 	 * calibrations, then wait for it to finish