diff --git a/fs/nfs/inode.c b/fs/nfs/inode.c
index 6c22453d77ae..6d2f2a3eccf8 100644
--- a/fs/nfs/inode.c
+++ b/fs/nfs/inode.c
@@ -357,6 +357,10 @@ nfs_setattr(struct dentry *dentry, struct iattr *attr)
 
 	nfs_inc_stats(inode, NFSIOS_VFSSETATTR);
 
+	/* skip mode change if it's just for clearing setuid/setgid */
+	if (attr->ia_valid & (ATTR_KILL_SUID | ATTR_KILL_SGID))
+		attr->ia_valid &= ~ATTR_MODE;
+
 	if (attr->ia_valid & ATTR_SIZE) {
 		if (!S_ISREG(inode->i_mode) || attr->ia_size == i_size_read(inode))
 			attr->ia_valid &= ~ATTR_SIZE;