diff --git a/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_msghandler.c b/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_msghandler.c
index 9f699951b75a..49a7e9685e77 100644
--- a/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_msghandler.c
+++ b/drivers/char/ipmi/ipmi_msghandler.c
@@ -3878,6 +3878,9 @@ static void smi_recv_tasklet(unsigned long val)
 	 * because the lower layer is allowed to hold locks while calling
 	 * message delivery.
 	 */
+
+	rcu_read_lock();
+
 	if (!run_to_completion)
 		spin_lock_irqsave(&intf->xmit_msgs_lock, flags);
 	if (intf->curr_msg == NULL && !intf->in_shutdown) {
@@ -3900,6 +3903,8 @@ static void smi_recv_tasklet(unsigned long val)
 	if (newmsg)
 		intf->handlers->sender(intf->send_info, newmsg);
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+
 	handle_new_recv_msgs(intf);
 }