--- a/packages/hal/sh/sh3/current/src/var_misc.c
+++ b/packages/hal/sh/sh3/current/src/var_misc.c
@@ -71,12 +71,15 @@
 externC void
 cyg_var_enable_caches(void)
 {
+    // If relying on a ROM monitor do not invalidate the caches as the
+    // ROM monitor may have (non-synced) state in the caches.
+#if !defined(CYGSEM_HAL_USE_ROM_MONITOR)
     // Initialize cache.
     HAL_UCACHE_INVALIDATE_ALL();    
 
     // Set cache modes
     HAL_UCACHE_WRITE_MODE_SH(CACHE_MODE_P0|CACHE_MODE_P1);
-
+#endif
 #ifdef CYGHWR_HAL_SH_CACHE_ENABLE
     // Enable cache.
     HAL_UCACHE_ENABLE();