diff --git a/src/target/xtensa/xtensa.c b/src/target/xtensa/xtensa.c
index c2c047edb..b57e2d660 100644
--- a/src/target/xtensa/xtensa.c
+++ b/src/target/xtensa/xtensa.c
@@ -801,8 +801,7 @@ int xtensa_examine(struct target *target)
 		return ERROR_TARGET_FAILURE;
 	}
 	LOG_DEBUG("OCD_ID = %08" PRIx32, xtensa->dbg_mod.device_id);
-	if (!target_was_examined(target))
-		target_set_examined(target);
+	target_set_examined(target);
 	xtensa_smpbreak_write(xtensa, xtensa->smp_break);
 	return ERROR_OK;
 }