diff --git a/crypto/crypto_engine.c b/crypto/crypto_engine.c
index d7502ec37f20..055d17977280 100644
--- a/crypto/crypto_engine.c
+++ b/crypto/crypto_engine.c
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(crypto_engine_stop);
  */
 struct crypto_engine *crypto_engine_alloc_init(struct device *dev, bool rt)
 {
-	struct sched_param param = { .sched_priority = MAX_RT_PRIO - 1 };
+	struct sched_param param = { .sched_priority = MAX_RT_PRIO / 2 };
 	struct crypto_engine *engine;
 
 	if (!dev)