diff --git a/kernel-src/sys/itimer.c b/kernel-src/sys/itimer.c
index 812f5b26..d10ce027 100644
--- a/kernel-src/sys/itimer.c
+++ b/kernel-src/sys/itimer.c
@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ void itimer_pause(itimer_t *itimer, uintmax_t *remainingus, uintmax_t *repeatus)
 		// schedule on the itimer cpu
 		sched_targetcpu(itimer->cpu);
 		spinlock_release(&itimer->lock);
+		// allow interrupts to be handled (such as a tlb shootdown)
+		// as the other cpu could be busy waiting for this one
+		interrupt_set(true);
+		interrupt_set(false);
 		sched_yield();
 		sched_targetcpu(NULL);
 		spinlock_acquire(&itimer->lock);