diff --git a/net/smc/af_smc.c b/net/smc/af_smc.c
index e12d4fa5aece6a..d9413d43b1045d 100644
--- a/net/smc/af_smc.c
+++ b/net/smc/af_smc.c
@@ -1826,8 +1826,10 @@ static int smcr_serv_conf_first_link(struct smc_sock *smc)
 	smc_llc_link_active(link);
 	smcr_lgr_set_type(link->lgr, SMC_LGR_SINGLE);
 
+	mutex_lock(&link->lgr->llc_conf_mutex);
 	/* initial contact - try to establish second link */
 	smc_llc_srv_add_link(link, NULL);
+	mutex_unlock(&link->lgr->llc_conf_mutex);
 	return 0;
 }