diff --git a/repos/base-hw/src/core/spec/x86_64/kernel/crt0.s b/repos/base-hw/src/core/spec/x86_64/kernel/crt0.s
index 2e5e5483a..79c322049 100644
--- a/repos/base-hw/src/core/spec/x86_64/kernel/crt0.s
+++ b/repos/base-hw/src/core/spec/x86_64/kernel/crt0.s
@@ -27,6 +27,11 @@
 	.global _start
 	_start:
 
+	/* Enable PAE (prerequisite for IA-32e mode) */
+	movl %cr4, %eax
+	btsl $5, %eax
+	movl %eax, %cr4
+
 	/*
 	 * Install initial temporary environment that is replaced later by the
 	 * environment that init_main_thread creates.