diff --git a/kernel/debug/debug_core.c b/kernel/debug/debug_core.c
index bc8d25f2ac8a..9e5934780f41 100644
--- a/kernel/debug/debug_core.c
+++ b/kernel/debug/debug_core.c
@@ -587,6 +587,7 @@ static int kgdb_cpu_enter(struct kgdb_state *ks, struct pt_regs *regs,
 		arch_kgdb_ops.disable_hw_break(regs);
 
 acquirelock:
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	/*
 	 * Interrupts will be restored by the 'trap return' code, except when
 	 * single stepping.
@@ -646,6 +647,7 @@ static int kgdb_cpu_enter(struct kgdb_state *ks, struct pt_regs *regs,
 			atomic_dec(&slaves_in_kgdb);
 			dbg_touch_watchdogs();
 			local_irq_restore(flags);
+			rcu_read_unlock();
 			return 0;
 		}
 		cpu_relax();
@@ -664,6 +666,7 @@ static int kgdb_cpu_enter(struct kgdb_state *ks, struct pt_regs *regs,
 		raw_spin_unlock(&dbg_master_lock);
 		dbg_touch_watchdogs();
 		local_irq_restore(flags);
+		rcu_read_unlock();
 
 		goto acquirelock;
 	}
@@ -787,6 +790,7 @@ static int kgdb_cpu_enter(struct kgdb_state *ks, struct pt_regs *regs,
 	raw_spin_unlock(&dbg_master_lock);
 	dbg_touch_watchdogs();
 	local_irq_restore(flags);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 
 	return kgdb_info[cpu].ret_state;
 }