diff --git a/cpu/sh2/mame/sh2pico.c b/cpu/sh2/mame/sh2pico.c
index b8a1a367..f4ae85cb 100644
--- a/cpu/sh2/mame/sh2pico.c
+++ b/cpu/sh2/mame/sh2pico.c
@@ -167,14 +167,16 @@ int sh2_execute_interpreter(SH2 *sh2, int cycles)
 
 		sh2->icount--;
 
-		if (sh2->test_irq && !sh2->delay && sh2->pending_level > ((sh2->sr >> 4) & 0x0f))
+		if (sh2->test_irq && !sh2->delay)
 		{
 			int level = sh2->pending_level;
-			int vector = sh2->irq_callback(sh2, level);
-			sh2_do_irq(sh2, level, vector);
+			if (level > ((sh2->sr >> 4) & 0x0f))
+			{
+				int vector = sh2->irq_callback(sh2, level);
+				sh2_do_irq(sh2, level, vector);
+			}
 			sh2->test_irq = 0;
 		}
-
 	}
 	while (sh2->icount > 0 || sh2->delay);	/* can't interrupt before delay */