diff --git a/docs/release-notes.md b/docs/release-notes.md
index d9d47d4b2..08b6ed97f 100644
--- a/docs/release-notes.md
+++ b/docs/release-notes.md
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ Minor changes:
 - install: Verify that Ignition config is valid JSON
 - install: Add long help for several options
 - download/install: Clarify help text for `--insecure`
+- install: Run 'chreipl' only on s390x zVM
 
 Internal changes:
 
diff --git a/src/s390x/zipl.rs b/src/s390x/zipl.rs
index 4b3d8064e..1777c019c 100644
--- a/src/s390x/zipl.rs
+++ b/src/s390x/zipl.rs
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@
 
 use crate::blockdev::Mount;
 use crate::io::{visit_bls_entry, visit_bls_entry_options, Initrd, KargsEditor};
-use crate::runcmd;
 use crate::s390x::ZiplSecexMode;
 use crate::util::cmd_output;
+use crate::{runcmd, runcmd_output};
 use anyhow::{anyhow, Context, Result};
 use nix::mount::MsFlags;
 use regex::Regex;
@@ -28,6 +28,11 @@ use tempfile::{Builder, NamedTempFile};
 
 /// Sets the boot device to `dev` using `chreipl`.
 pub fn chreipl<P: AsRef<Path>>(dev: P) -> Result<()> {
+    if let Ok(vm) = runcmd_output!("systemd-detect-virt") {
+        if vm != "zvm" {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+    }
     eprintln!("Updating re-IPL device");
     runcmd!("chreipl", dev.as_ref())?;
     Ok(())