--- old/src/cpu/sparc/vm/c1_CodeStubs_sparc.cpp	2012-01-24 15:21:01.899540518 -0800
+++ new/src/cpu/sparc/vm/c1_CodeStubs_sparc.cpp	2012-01-24 15:21:01.819538121 -0800
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@
   __ load_klass(src_reg, tmp_reg);
 
   Address ref_type_adr(tmp_reg, instanceKlass::reference_type_offset());
-  __ ld(ref_type_adr, tmp_reg);
+  __ ldub(ref_type_adr, tmp_reg);
 
   // _reference_type field is of type ReferenceType (enum)
   assert(REF_NONE == 0, "check this code");