diff --git a/kernel/softlockup.c b/kernel/softlockup.c
index 4b493f6..ada1fcd 100644
--- a/kernel/softlockup.c
+++ b/kernel/softlockup.c
@@ -187,7 +187,9 @@ static int watchdog(void *__bind_cpu)
 {
 	struct sched_param param = { .sched_priority = MAX_RT_PRIO-1 };
 
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	sched_setscheduler(current, SCHED_FIFO, &param);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	/* initialize timestamp */
 	__touch_softlockup_watchdog();