diff --git a/include/net/busy_poll.h b/include/net/busy_poll.h
index 2fbeb1313c0f..e522187cb693 100644
--- a/include/net/busy_poll.h
+++ b/include/net/busy_poll.h
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ extern unsigned int sysctl_net_busy_poll __read_mostly;
 
 static inline bool net_busy_loop_on(void)
 {
-	return sysctl_net_busy_poll;
+	return READ_ONCE(sysctl_net_busy_poll);
 }
 
 static inline u64 busy_loop_us_clock(void)