diff --git a/kernel/watchdog.c b/kernel/watchdog.c
index dcc4990097a2..28c833b42124 100644
--- a/kernel/watchdog.c
+++ b/kernel/watchdog.c
@@ -701,6 +701,8 @@ static int proc_watchdog_update(void)
 
 }
 
+static DEFINE_MUTEX(watchdog_proc_mutex);
+
 /*
  * proc handler for /proc/sys/kernel/nmi_watchdog,watchdog_thresh
  */
@@ -710,7 +712,6 @@ int proc_dowatchdog(struct ctl_table *table, int write,
 {
 	int err, old_thresh, old_enabled;
 	bool old_hardlockup;
-	static DEFINE_MUTEX(watchdog_proc_mutex);
 
 	mutex_lock(&watchdog_proc_mutex);
 	old_thresh = ACCESS_ONCE(watchdog_thresh);