diff --git a/lib/nova_plugins/hypervisor-libvirt b/lib/nova_plugins/hypervisor-libvirt
index d0e364efc3..51d807a160 100644
--- a/lib/nova_plugins/hypervisor-libvirt
+++ b/lib/nova_plugins/hypervisor-libvirt
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ function configure_nova_hypervisor {
     if is_arch "aarch64"; then
         # arm64 architecture currently does not support graphical consoles.
         iniset $NOVA_CONF vnc enabled "false"
+        iniset $NOVA_CONF libvirt cpu_mode "host-passthrough"
     fi
 
     # File injection is being disabled by default in the near future -