diff --git a/kernel/exit.c b/kernel/exit.c
index ceffc67..671ed56 100644
--- a/kernel/exit.c
+++ b/kernel/exit.c
@@ -771,9 +771,12 @@
 	struct task_struct *p, *n, *reaper;
 	LIST_HEAD(dead_children);
 
-	exit_ptrace(father);
-
 	write_lock_irq(&tasklist_lock);
+	/*
+	 * Note that exit_ptrace() and find_new_reaper() might
+	 * drop tasklist_lock and reacquire it.
+	 */
+	exit_ptrace(father);
 	reaper = find_new_reaper(father);
 
 	list_for_each_entry_safe(p, n, &father->children, sibling) {