diff --git a/drivers/char/cs5535_gpio.c b/drivers/char/cs5535_gpio.c
index 628e3d3..04ba906 100644
--- a/drivers/char/cs5535_gpio.c
+++ b/drivers/char/cs5535_gpio.c
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include <linux/cdev.h>
 #include <linux/ioport.h>
 #include <linux/pci.h>
+#include <linux/smp_lock.h>
 #include <asm/uaccess.h>
 #include <asm/io.h>
 
@@ -153,12 +154,11 @@
 	return count;
 }
 
-/* No BKL needed here - "mask" is the only global resource used
-   here and it's a boot-time parameter */
 static int cs5535_gpio_open(struct inode *inode, struct file *file)
 {
 	u32 m = iminor(inode);
 
+	cycle_kernel_lock();
 	/* the mask says which pins are usable by this driver */
 	if ((mask & (1 << m)) == 0)
 		return -EINVAL;