diff --git a/kernel/panic.c b/kernel/panic.c
index 9b8dcfd1ca93..8010b9b17aca 100644
--- a/kernel/panic.c
+++ b/kernel/panic.c
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ const char *print_tainted(void)
 
 void add_taint(unsigned flag)
 {
-	debug_locks_off(); /* can't trust the integrity of the kernel anymore */
+	debug_locks = 0; /* can't trust the integrity of the kernel anymore */
 	tainted |= flag;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(add_taint);