diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index ad5959e56116..c8f1f67ff16c 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -3961,9 +3961,7 @@ int netdev_rx_handler_register(struct net_device *dev,
 			       rx_handler_func_t *rx_handler,
 			       void *rx_handler_data)
 {
-	ASSERT_RTNL();
-
-	if (dev->rx_handler)
+	if (netdev_is_rx_handler_busy(dev))
 		return -EBUSY;
 
 	/* Note: rx_handler_data must be set before rx_handler */