diff --git a/src/arch/arm/utility.cc b/src/arch/arm/utility.cc
index 56503ac..a49f829 100644
--- a/src/arch/arm/utility.cc
+++ b/src/arch/arm/utility.cc
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2009-2014, 2016-2017 ARM Limited
+ * Copyright (c) 2009-2014, 2016-2018 ARM Limited
  * All rights reserved.
  *
  * The license below extends only to copyright in the software and shall
@@ -184,6 +184,13 @@
         scr, tc->readMiscReg(MISCREG_CPSR));
 }
 
+inline bool
+isSecureBelowEL3(ThreadContext *tc)
+{
+    SCR scr = tc->readMiscReg(MISCREG_SCR_EL3);
+    return ArmSystem::haveEL(tc, EL3) && scr.ns == 0;
+}
+
 bool
 inAArch64(ThreadContext *tc)
 {
@@ -256,8 +263,8 @@
 
         HCR hcr = tc->readMiscReg(MISCREG_HCR_EL2);
         bool aarch32_at_el1 = (aarch32_below_el3
-                                || (have_el2
-                                && !inSecureState(tc) && hcr.rw == 0));
+                               || (have_el2
+                               && !isSecureBelowEL3(tc) && hcr.rw == 0));
 
         // Only know if EL0 using AArch32 from PSTATE
         if (el == EL0 && !aarch32_at_el1) {
diff --git a/src/arch/arm/utility.hh b/src/arch/arm/utility.hh
index 622fd12..6e4e76b 100644
--- a/src/arch/arm/utility.hh
+++ b/src/arch/arm/utility.hh
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2010, 2012-2013, 2016-2017 ARM Limited
+ * Copyright (c) 2010, 2012-2013, 2016-2018 ARM Limited
  * All rights reserved
  *
  * The license below extends only to copyright in the software and shall
@@ -201,10 +201,17 @@
     }
 }
 
-bool longDescFormatInUse(ThreadContext *tc);
-
 bool inSecureState(ThreadContext *tc);
 
+/**
+ * Return TRUE if an Exception level below EL3 is in Secure state.
+ * Differs from inSecureState in that it ignores the current EL
+ * or Mode in considering security state.
+ */
+inline bool isSecureBelowEL3(ThreadContext *tc);
+
+bool longDescFormatInUse(ThreadContext *tc);
+
 uint32_t getMPIDR(ArmSystem *arm_sys, ThreadContext *tc);
 
 static inline uint32_t