diff --git a/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_watchdog.c b/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_watchdog.c
index 1b9a87047817..357d99b9d0e5 100644
--- a/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_watchdog.c
+++ b/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_watchdog.c
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@
 #include <linux/moduleparam.h>
 #include <linux/ipmi.h>
 #include <linux/ipmi_smi.h>
+#include <linux/smp_lock.h>
 #include <linux/watchdog.h>
 #include <linux/miscdevice.h>
 #include <linux/init.h>
@@ -819,6 +820,8 @@ static int ipmi_open(struct inode *ino, struct file *filep)
 		if (test_and_set_bit(0, &ipmi_wdog_open))
 			return -EBUSY;
 
+		cycle_kernel_lock();
+
 		/*
 		 * Don't start the timer now, let it start on the
 		 * first heartbeat.