diff --git a/fs/cifs/cifsglob.h b/fs/cifs/cifsglob.h
index b16c994414ab..9c0e348cb00f 100644
--- a/fs/cifs/cifsglob.h
+++ b/fs/cifs/cifsglob.h
@@ -964,7 +964,7 @@ struct cifs_ses {
 	struct mutex session_mutex;
 	struct TCP_Server_Info *server;	/* pointer to server info */
 	int ses_count;		/* reference counter */
-	enum statusEnum status;
+	enum statusEnum status;  /* updates protected by GlobalMid_Lock */
 	unsigned overrideSecFlg;  /* if non-zero override global sec flags */
 	char *serverOS;		/* name of operating system underlying server */
 	char *serverNOS;	/* name of network operating system of server */
@@ -1814,6 +1814,7 @@ require use of the stronger protocol */
  *	list operations on pending_mid_q and oplockQ
  *      updates to XID counters, multiplex id  and SMB sequence numbers
  *      list operations on global DnotifyReqList
+ *      updates to ses->status
  *  tcp_ses_lock protects:
  *	list operations on tcp and SMB session lists
  *  tcon->open_file_lock protects the list of open files hanging off the tcon
diff --git a/fs/cifs/connect.c b/fs/cifs/connect.c
index ab9eeb5ff8e5..da0720f41ebc 100644
--- a/fs/cifs/connect.c
+++ b/fs/cifs/connect.c
@@ -3049,9 +3049,12 @@ void cifs_put_smb_ses(struct cifs_ses *ses)
 		spin_unlock(&cifs_tcp_ses_lock);
 		return;
 	}
+	spin_unlock(&cifs_tcp_ses_lock);
+
+	spin_lock(&GlobalMid_Lock);
 	if (ses->status == CifsGood)
 		ses->status = CifsExiting;
-	spin_unlock(&cifs_tcp_ses_lock);
+	spin_unlock(&GlobalMid_Lock);
 
 	cifs_free_ipc(ses);