diff --git a/sys/arm/arm/pmap-v6.c b/sys/arm/arm/pmap-v6.c
index 9e0b8bda319b..4ad00673db6f 100644
--- a/sys/arm/arm/pmap-v6.c
+++ b/sys/arm/arm/pmap-v6.c
@@ -2801,8 +2801,13 @@ pmap_enter_locked(pmap_t pmap, vm_offset_t va, vm_prot_t access, vm_page_t m,
 		}
 
 		if (prot & VM_PROT_WRITE) {
-			/* Write enable */
-			npte &= ~(L2_APX);
+			/*
+			 * Enable write permission if the access type
+			 * indicates write intention. Emulate modified
+			 * bit otherwise.
+			 */
+			if ((access & VM_PROT_WRITE) != 0)
+				npte &= ~(L2_APX);
 
 			if ((m->oflags & VPO_UNMANAGED) == 0) {
 				vm_page_aflag_set(m, PGA_WRITEABLE);