diff --git a/kernel/cpu.c b/kernel/cpu.c
index 663c920b2234..272254f20d97 100644
--- a/kernel/cpu.c
+++ b/kernel/cpu.c
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ void unlock_cpu_hotplug(void)
 		recursive_depth--;
 		return;
 	}
-	mutex_unlock(&cpu_bitmask_lock);
 	recursive = NULL;
+	mutex_unlock(&cpu_bitmask_lock);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(unlock_cpu_hotplug);