diff --git a/kernel/softlockup.c b/kernel/softlockup.c
index 97977ecc3171..d53ab702a7db 100644
--- a/kernel/softlockup.c
+++ b/kernel/softlockup.c
@@ -130,8 +130,11 @@ void softlockup_tick(void)
 
 	now = get_timestamp(this_cpu);
 
-	/* Wake up the high-prio watchdog task every second: */
-	if (now > (touch_timestamp + 1))
+	/*
+	 * Wake up the high-prio watchdog task twice per
+	 * threshold timespan.
+	 */
+	if (now > touch_timestamp + softlockup_thresh/2)
 		wake_up_process(per_cpu(watchdog_task, this_cpu));
 
 	/* Warn about unreasonable delays: */