In this example: static void test1(int[] a, boolean[] flags, boolean flag, long j) { for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) { if (flags[i]) { if (flag) { long address = (j << 2) + UNSAFE.ARRAY_INT_BASE_OFFSET; int v = UNSAFE.getInt(a, address); val = v; } } } } the load's control is set to the true branch of if (flag). if (flag) is loop invariant and can be moved out of the loop. Because Node::depends_only_on_test() returns true for loads, the load keeps the true branch of if(flag) as a control and can execute independently of the test if (flags[i]). ILW=H(crash) L(never seen) M(disable unsafe intrinsics)=P3