diff --git a/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c b/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
index d9f5cd4e533f..0500f10b5041 100644
--- a/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
+++ b/arch/arm/kernel/perf_event.c
@@ -253,6 +253,9 @@ validate_event(struct pmu_hw_events *hw_events,
 	struct arm_pmu *armpmu = to_arm_pmu(event->pmu);
 	struct pmu *leader_pmu = event->group_leader->pmu;
 
+	if (is_software_event(event))
+		return 1;
+
 	if (event->pmu != leader_pmu || event->state < PERF_EVENT_STATE_OFF)
 		return 1;