diff --git a/noc/LinkOrRTL.py b/noc/LinkOrRTL.py
index 2efd7a06..ba6b376a 100644
--- a/noc/LinkOrRTL.py
+++ b/noc/LinkOrRTL.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def construct(s, DataType):
     # Interface
     s.recv_fu = RecvIfcRTL(DataType)
     s.recv_xbar = RecvIfcRTL(DataType)
+    s.fu_xbar_rdy = InPort(b1)
     s.send = SendIfcRTL(DataType)
 
     @update
@@ -30,20 +31,26 @@ def process():
       # Initializes the delivered message.
       s.send.msg @= DataType()
 
-      # The messages from two sources (i.e., xbar and FU) won't be valid
-      # simultaneously (confliction would be caused if they both are valid),
-      # which is guaranteed by the compiler/software.
-      s.send.msg.predicate @= s.recv_fu.msg.predicate | s.recv_xbar.msg.predicate
-      s.send.msg.payload @= s.recv_xbar.msg.payload | s.recv_fu.msg.payload
+      fu_active = s.recv_fu.val & s.fu_xbar_rdy
+      xbar_active = s.recv_xbar.val
+
+      if fu_active:
+        s.send.msg.predicate @= s.send.msg.predicate | s.recv_fu.msg.predicate
+        s.send.msg.payload @= s.send.msg.payload | s.recv_fu.msg.payload
+      if xbar_active:
+        s.send.msg.predicate @= s.send.msg.predicate | s.recv_xbar.msg.predicate
+        s.send.msg.payload @= s.send.msg.payload | s.recv_xbar.msg.payload
 
       # FIXME: bypass won't be necessary any more with separate xbar design.
       # s.send.msg.bypass @= 0
       # s.send.msg.delay @= s.recv_fu.msg.delay | s.recv_xbar.msg.delay
 
-      s.send.val @= s.recv_fu.val | s.recv_xbar.val
-      s.recv_fu.rdy @= s.send.rdy
+      # Only let FU traffic win once the FU crossbar has actually committed
+      # the multicast/send for this cycle; otherwise the link can expose
+      # transient FU output and create cross-tile bubbles.
+      s.send.val @= fu_active | xbar_active
+      s.recv_fu.rdy @= s.send.rdy & s.fu_xbar_rdy
       s.recv_xbar.rdy @= s.send.rdy
 
   def line_trace(s):
     return f"from_fu:{s.recv_fu.msg} or from_xbar:{s.recv_xbar.msg} => out:{s.send.msg} ## "
-
diff --git a/noc/test/LinkOrRTL_test.py b/noc/test/LinkOrRTL_test.py
index 1ae08b6c..29ee6355 100644
--- a/noc/test/LinkOrRTL_test.py
+++ b/noc/test/LinkOrRTL_test.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ def construct(s, MsgType, src_msgs_0, src_msgs_1, sink_msgs):
     s.src0.send //= s.dut.recv_fu
     s.src1.send //= s.dut.recv_xbar
     s.dut.send //= s.sink.recv
+    s.dut.fu_xbar_rdy //= 1
 
   def done(s):
     return s.src0.done() and s.src1.done() and s.sink.done()
@@ -83,3 +84,38 @@ def test_simple():
   th = TestHarness(DataType, test_msgs_0, test_msgs_1, sink_msgs)
   run_sim(th)
 
+def test_invalid_fu_msg_does_not_pollute_xbar_output():
+  dut = LinkOrRTL(DataType)
+  dut.elaborate()
+  dut.apply(DefaultPassGroup())
+  dut.sim_reset()
+
+  dut.recv_fu.val @= 0
+  dut.recv_fu.msg @= DataType(0, 1)
+  dut.recv_xbar.val @= 1
+  dut.recv_xbar.msg @= DataType(1, 1)
+  dut.fu_xbar_rdy @= 1
+  dut.send.rdy @= 1
+  dut.sim_eval_combinational()
+
+  assert dut.send.val == b1(1)
+  assert dut.send.msg == DataType(1, 1)
+
+def test_uncommitted_fu_msg_is_not_consumed():
+  dut = LinkOrRTL(DataType)
+  dut.elaborate()
+  dut.apply(DefaultPassGroup())
+  dut.sim_reset()
+
+  dut.recv_fu.val @= 1
+  dut.recv_fu.msg @= DataType(7, 1)
+  dut.recv_xbar.val @= 1
+  dut.recv_xbar.msg @= DataType(1, 1)
+  dut.fu_xbar_rdy @= 0
+  dut.send.rdy @= 1
+  dut.sim_eval_combinational()
+
+  assert dut.send.val == b1(1)
+  assert dut.send.msg == DataType(1, 1)
+  assert dut.recv_fu.rdy == b1(0)
+  assert dut.recv_xbar.rdy == b1(1)