diff --git a/sound/core/seq/seq_clientmgr.c b/sound/core/seq/seq_clientmgr.c
index 04d4db44fae5..d41ce3ed62ca 100644
--- a/sound/core/seq/seq_clientmgr.c
+++ b/sound/core/seq/seq_clientmgr.c
@@ -1838,6 +1838,9 @@ static int snd_seq_ioctl_set_client_pool(struct snd_seq_client *client,
 	    (! snd_seq_write_pool_allocated(client) ||
 	     info->output_pool != client->pool->size)) {
 		if (snd_seq_write_pool_allocated(client)) {
+			/* is the pool in use? */
+			if (atomic_read(&client->pool->counter))
+				return -EBUSY;
 			/* remove all existing cells */
 			snd_seq_pool_mark_closing(client->pool);
 			snd_seq_queue_client_leave_cells(client->number);