diff --git a/hw/ip/spatz/src/spatz_controller.sv b/hw/ip/spatz/src/spatz_controller.sv
index ac5795f7..755d5fcc 100644
--- a/hw/ip/spatz/src/spatz_controller.sv
+++ b/hw/ip/spatz/src/spatz_controller.sv
@@ -820,7 +820,9 @@ module spatz_controller
     running_insn_d = running_insn_q;
 
     // New instruction!
-    if (spatz_req_valid && spatz_req.ex_unit != CON)
+    // A vl=0 op retires with no response, so tracking it would never clear
+    if (spatz_req_valid && spatz_req.ex_unit != CON &&
+        (spatz_req.vl != '0 || spatz_req.op_arith.is_reduction))
       running_insn_d[next_insn_id] = 1'b1;
 
     // Finished a instruction