diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/bugs.c b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/bugs.c
index b32fb55d94e1..d81f55e4ca5c 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/bugs.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/cpu/bugs.c
@@ -1196,7 +1196,8 @@ static ssize_t mds_show_state(char *buf)
 
 	if (boot_cpu_has(X86_BUG_MSBDS_ONLY)) {
 		return sprintf(buf, "%s; SMT %s\n", mds_strings[mds_mitigation],
-			       sched_smt_active() ? "mitigated" : "disabled");
+			       (mds_mitigation == MDS_MITIGATION_OFF ? "vulnerable" :
+			        sched_smt_active() ? "mitigated" : "disabled"));
 	}
 
 	return sprintf(buf, "%s; SMT %s\n", mds_strings[mds_mitigation],