diff --git a/cpu/cortexm_common/include/cpu.h b/cpu/cortexm_common/include/cpu.h
index b8e7e29e79..1e79552051 100644
--- a/cpu/cortexm_common/include/cpu.h
+++ b/cpu/cortexm_common/include/cpu.h
@@ -96,10 +96,10 @@ static inline void cortexm_sleep(int deep)
     }
 
     /* ensure that all memory accesses have completed and trigger sleeping */
-    __disable_irq();
+    unsigned state = irq_disable();
     __DSB();
     __WFI();
-    __enable_irq();
+    irq_restore(state);
 }
 
 /**