diff --git a/objdiff-core/src/arch/arm.rs b/objdiff-core/src/arch/arm.rs
index 930fc59..2640ae8 100644
--- a/objdiff-core/src/arch/arm.rs
+++ b/objdiff-core/src/arch/arm.rs
@@ -224,7 +224,10 @@ impl Arch for ArchArm {
             }
 
             // Check how many bytes we can/should read
-            let num_code_bytes = if data.len() >= 4 {
+            let num_code_bytes = if mode == unarm::ParseMode::Data {
+                // 32-bit .word value should be aligned on a 4-byte boundary, otherwise use .hword
+                if address & 3 == 0 { 4 } else { 2 }
+            } else if data.len() >= 4 {
                 // Read 4 bytes even for Thumb, as the parser will determine if it's a 2 or 4 byte instruction
                 4
             } else if mode != unarm::ParseMode::Arm {