One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that corrects bit errors in temporary results within a central processing unit (CPU). During operation, the system receives a temporary result during execution of an in-flight instruction. Next, the system generates a parity bit for the temporary result, and stores the temporary result and the parity bit in a temporary register within the CPU. Before the temporary result is committed to the architectural state of the CPU, the system checks the temporary result and the parity bit to detect a bit error. If a bit error is detected, the system performs a micro-trap operation to re-execute the instruction that generated the temporary result, thereby regenerating the temporary result. Otherwise, if a bit error is not detected, the system commits the temporary result to the architectural state of the CPU.