diff --git a/src/hotspot/cpu/ppc/vm_version_ppc.cpp b/src/hotspot/cpu/ppc/vm_version_ppc.cpp
index 8b1de7546506f..75feb3892986d 100644
--- a/src/hotspot/cpu/ppc/vm_version_ppc.cpp
+++ b/src/hotspot/cpu/ppc/vm_version_ppc.cpp
@@ -111,6 +111,10 @@ void VM_Version::initialize() {
   }
 
   MaxVectorSize = SuperwordUseVSX ? 16 : 8;
+  if (!SuperwordUseVSX && FLAG_IS_DEFAULT(EnableVectorSupport)) {
+    // VectorSupport intrinsics currently have issues with MaxVectorSize < 16 (JDK-8370803).
+    FLAG_SET_ERGO(EnableVectorSupport, false);
+  }
   if (FLAG_IS_DEFAULT(AlignVector)) {
     FLAG_SET_ERGO(AlignVector, false);
   }