diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/apic/nmi.c b/arch/x86/kernel/apic/nmi.c
index b387dce0b409..37769cc4fe55 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/apic/nmi.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/apic/nmi.c
@@ -432,8 +432,7 @@ nmi_watchdog_tick(struct pt_regs *regs, unsigned reason)
 		 * Ayiee, looks like this CPU is stuck ...
 		 * wait a few IRQs (5 seconds) before doing the oops ...
 		 */
-		__this_cpu_inc(alert_counter);
-		if (__this_cpu_read(alert_counter) == 5 * nmi_hz)
+		if (__this_cpu_inc_return(alert_counter) == 5 * nmi_hz)
 			/*
 			 * die_nmi will return ONLY if NOTIFY_STOP happens..
 			 */