diff --git a/arch/x86/include/asm/nospec-branch.h b/arch/x86/include/asm/nospec-branch.h
index ff5f1ecc7d1e65..96b410b1d4e841 100644
--- a/arch/x86/include/asm/nospec-branch.h
+++ b/arch/x86/include/asm/nospec-branch.h
@@ -323,7 +323,16 @@
  * Note: Only the memory operand variant of VERW clears the CPU buffers.
  */
 .macro CLEAR_CPU_BUFFERS
-	ALTERNATIVE "", __stringify(verw _ASM_RIP(mds_verw_sel)), X86_FEATURE_CLEAR_CPU_BUF
+#ifdef CONFIG_X86_64
+	ALTERNATIVE "", "verw mds_verw_sel(%rip)", X86_FEATURE_CLEAR_CPU_BUF
+#else
+	/*
+	 * In 32bit mode, the memory operand must be a %cs reference. The data
+	 * segments may not be usable (vm86 mode), and the stack segment may not
+	 * be flat (ESPFIX32).
+	 */
+	ALTERNATIVE "", "verw %cs:mds_verw_sel", X86_FEATURE_CLEAR_CPU_BUF
+#endif
 .endm
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_X86_64