diff --git a/tt_metal/impl/dispatch/kernels/eth_tunneler.cpp b/tt_metal/impl/dispatch/kernels/eth_tunneler.cpp
index 9f479c8cc72..d8280ef09e4 100644
--- a/tt_metal/impl/dispatch/kernels/eth_tunneler.cpp
+++ b/tt_metal/impl/dispatch/kernels/eth_tunneler.cpp
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ void kernel_main() {
         tt_l1_ptr launch_msg_t * const launch_msg = GET_MAILBOX_ADDRESS_DEV(launch);
         if (launch_msg->exit_erisc_kernel) {
             DEBUG_STATUS("EEB");
-            break;
+            return;
         }
         // need to optimize this.
         // context switch to base fw is very costly.