diff --git a/hw/riscv/spike.c b/hw/riscv/spike.c
index 068ba3493e..e41b6aa9f0 100644
--- a/hw/riscv/spike.c
+++ b/hw/riscv/spike.c
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ static void spike_board_init(MachineState *machine)
                                 base_hartid, &error_abort);
         object_property_set_int(OBJECT(&s->soc[i]), "num-harts",
                                 hart_count, &error_abort);
-        sysbus_realize(SYS_BUS_DEVICE(&s->soc[i]), &error_abort);
+        sysbus_realize(SYS_BUS_DEVICE(&s->soc[i]), &error_fatal);
 
         /* Core Local Interruptor (timer and IPI) for each socket */
         riscv_aclint_swi_create(
diff --git a/hw/riscv/virt.c b/hw/riscv/virt.c
index 3326f4db96..244d6408b5 100644
--- a/hw/riscv/virt.c
+++ b/hw/riscv/virt.c
@@ -1351,7 +1351,7 @@ static void virt_machine_init(MachineState *machine)
                                 base_hartid, &error_abort);
         object_property_set_int(OBJECT(&s->soc[i]), "num-harts",
                                 hart_count, &error_abort);
-        sysbus_realize(SYS_BUS_DEVICE(&s->soc[i]), &error_abort);
+        sysbus_realize(SYS_BUS_DEVICE(&s->soc[i]), &error_fatal);
 
         if (!kvm_enabled()) {
             if (s->have_aclint) {