diff --git a/src/mem/cache/cache_impl.hh b/src/mem/cache/cache_impl.hh
--- a/src/mem/cache/cache_impl.hh
+++ b/src/mem/cache/cache_impl.hh
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@
                 // on ReadExReq we give up our copy unconditionally
                 tags->invalidateBlk(blk);
             } else if (blk->isWritable() && !pending_downgrade
-                       && !pkt->sharedAsserted()) {
+                      && !pkt->sharedAsserted() && !pkt->req->isInstFetch()) {
                 // we can give the requester an exclusive copy (by not
                 // asserting shared line) on a read request if:
                 // - we have an exclusive copy at this level (& below)