diff --git a/drivers/char/tty_io.c b/drivers/char/tty_io.c
index a19fef2093f..684f0e0b175 100644
--- a/drivers/char/tty_io.c
+++ b/drivers/char/tty_io.c
@@ -516,6 +516,8 @@ static void do_tty_hangup(struct work_struct *work)
 	/* inuse_filps is protected by the single kernel lock */
 	lock_kernel();
 	check_tty_count(tty, "do_tty_hangup");
+	unlock_kernel();
+
 	file_list_lock();
 	/* This breaks for file handles being sent over AF_UNIX sockets ? */
 	list_for_each_entry(filp, &tty->tty_files, f_u.fu_list) {
@@ -529,6 +531,7 @@ static void do_tty_hangup(struct work_struct *work)
 	}
 	file_list_unlock();
 
+	lock_kernel();
 	tty_ldisc_hangup(tty);
 
 	read_lock(&tasklist_lock);