diff --git a/criu/arch/x86/cpu.c b/criu/arch/x86/cpu.c
index 6ffe97131..1945a3dc3 100644
--- a/criu/arch/x86/cpu.c
+++ b/criu/arch/x86/cpu.c
@@ -294,10 +294,12 @@ static int cpu_validate_features(compel_cpuinfo_t *cpu_info)
 	/*
 	 * Strict capability mode. Everything must match.
 	 */
-	if (memcmp(cpu_info->x86_capability, rt_cpu_info.x86_capability,
-		   sizeof(cpu_info->x86_capability))) {
-		pr_err("CPU capabilities do not match run time\n");
-		return -1;
+	if (opts.cpu_cap & CPU_CAP_CPU) {
+		if (memcmp(cpu_info->x86_capability, rt_cpu_info.x86_capability,
+			   sizeof(cpu_info->x86_capability))) {
+			pr_err("CPU capabilites do not match run time\n");
+			return -1;
+		}
 	}
 
 	return 0;