diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/vm/protection_keys.c b/tools/testing/selftests/vm/protection_keys.c
index 356d62fca27f..87eecd5ba577 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/vm/protection_keys.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/vm/protection_keys.c
@@ -1448,6 +1448,13 @@ void test_implicit_mprotect_exec_only_memory(int *ptr, u16 pkey)
 	ret = mprotect(p1, PAGE_SIZE, PROT_EXEC);
 	pkey_assert(!ret);
 
+	/*
+	 * Reset the shadow, assuming that the above mprotect()
+	 * correctly changed PKRU, but to an unknown value since
+	 * the actual alllocated pkey is unknown.
+	 */
+	shadow_pkey_reg = __read_pkey_reg();
+
 	dprintf2("pkey_reg: %016llx\n", read_pkey_reg());
 
 	/* Make sure this is an *instruction* fault */