diff --git a/hw/arm/raspi.c b/hw/arm/raspi.c
index b30a17871f..0ada91c05e 100644
--- a/hw/arm/raspi.c
+++ b/hw/arm/raspi.c
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ static void raspi_machine_init(MachineState *machine)
     object_property_add_const_link(OBJECT(&s->soc), "ram", OBJECT(machine->ram));
     object_property_set_int(OBJECT(&s->soc), "board-rev", board_rev,
                             &error_abort);
-    qdev_realize(DEVICE(&s->soc), NULL, &error_abort);
+    qdev_realize(DEVICE(&s->soc), NULL, &error_fatal);
 
     /* Create and plug in the SD cards */
     di = drive_get_next(IF_SD);