--- a/drivers/cfi_flash.c
+++ a/drivers/cfi_flash.c
@@ -345,7 +345,7 @@
 #endif
 
 	/* Environment protection ON by default */
-#ifdef CFG_ENV_IS_IN_FLASH
+#if defined(CFG_ENV_IS_IN_FLASH) && (CFG_MONITOR_BASE + CFG_MONITOR_LEN < CFG_ENV_ADDR)
 	flash_protect (FLAG_PROTECT_SET,
 		       CFG_ENV_ADDR,
 		       CFG_ENV_ADDR + CFG_ENV_SECT_SIZE - 1,