diff --git a/kernel/sched/core.c b/kernel/sched/core.c
index e62c65a12d5b..28921ec91b3d 100644
--- a/kernel/sched/core.c
+++ b/kernel/sched/core.c
@@ -2592,8 +2592,14 @@ pick_next_task(struct rq *rq, struct task_struct *prev)
 	if (likely(prev->sched_class == class &&
 		   rq->nr_running == rq->cfs.h_nr_running)) {
 		p = fair_sched_class.pick_next_task(rq, prev);
-		if (likely(p && p != RETRY_TASK))
-			return p;
+		if (unlikely(p == RETRY_TASK))
+			goto again;
+
+		/* assumes fair_sched_class->next == idle_sched_class */
+		if (unlikely(!p))
+			p = idle_sched_class.pick_next_task(rq, prev);
+
+		return p;
 	}
 
 again: