diff --git a/src/memory.S b/src/memory.S
index 6476e054..8d2b1e05 100644
--- a/src/memory.S
+++ b/src/memory.S
@@ -819,14 +819,18 @@ E(iie_altchar_off)
 		testl	$SS_ALTCHAR, SN(softswitches)
     		jz	ram_nop
 		andl	$~SS_ALTCHAR, SN(softswitches)
+		pushal
 		call	SN(c_set_primary_char)
+		popal
 		ret
 
 E(iie_altchar_on)
 		testl	$SS_ALTCHAR, SN(softswitches)
     		jnz	ram_nop
 		orl	$SS_ALTCHAR, SN(softswitches)
+		pushal
 		call	SN(c_set_altchar)
+		popal
 		ret
 
 E(iie_check_altchar)