diff --git a/target/ppc/excp_helper.c b/target/ppc/excp_helper.c
index 30bc2e6adf..6cf88f635a 100644
--- a/target/ppc/excp_helper.c
+++ b/target/ppc/excp_helper.c
@@ -1358,9 +1358,12 @@ static void powerpc_excp_books(PowerPCCPU *cpu, int excp)
 
     /*
      * We don't want to generate a Hypervisor Emulation Assistance
-     * Interrupt if we don't have HVB in msr_mask (PAPR mode).
+     * Interrupt if we don't have HVB in msr_mask (PAPR mode),
+     * unless running a nested-hv guest, in which case the L1
+     * kernel wants the interrupt.
      */
-    if (excp == POWERPC_EXCP_HV_EMU && !(env->msr_mask & MSR_HVB)) {
+    if (excp == POWERPC_EXCP_HV_EMU && !(env->msr_mask & MSR_HVB) &&
+            !books_vhyp_handles_hv_excp(cpu)) {
         excp = POWERPC_EXCP_PROGRAM;
     }