diff --git a/arch/xtensa/core/CMakeLists.txt b/arch/xtensa/core/CMakeLists.txt
index 56ca1071b01304..d03e3641b42b4b 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/core/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/arch/xtensa/core/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ zephyr_library_sources(
   irq_manage.c
   thread.c
   vector_handlers.c
+  prep_c.c
   )
 
 zephyr_library_sources_ifdef(CONFIG_XTENSA_USE_CORE_CRT1 crt1.S)
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/core/crt1.S b/arch/xtensa/core/crt1.S
index e881a41fc9224b..5e3bf9e8a2c1a3 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/core/crt1.S
+++ b/arch/xtensa/core/crt1.S
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
  */
 
 .global __start
-.type	z_cstart, @function
+.type	z_prep_c, @function
 
 
 /* Macros to abstract away ABI differences */
@@ -189,6 +189,6 @@ _start:
 #endif /* !XCHAL_HAVE_BOOTLOADER */
 
 	/* Enter C domain, never returns from here */
-	CALL	z_cstart
+	CALL	z_prep_c
 
 	.size	_start, . - _start
diff --git a/arch/xtensa/core/prep_c.c b/arch/xtensa/core/prep_c.c
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000000..963958cd2449e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/arch/xtensa/core/prep_c.c
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2024 Intel Corporation.
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+#include <zephyr/kernel.h>
+#include <kernel_internal.h>
+
+extern FUNC_NORETURN void z_cstart(void);
+
+/**
+ *
+ * @brief Prepare to and run C code
+ *
+ * This routine prepares for the execution of and runs C code.
+ *
+ */
+void z_prep_c(void)
+{
+	z_cstart();
+	CODE_UNREACHABLE;
+}