diff --git a/net/rfkill/core.c b/net/rfkill/core.c
index e2e2e6154fd2..6563cc04c578 100644
--- a/net/rfkill/core.c
+++ b/net/rfkill/core.c
@@ -1088,17 +1088,6 @@ static unsigned int rfkill_fop_poll(struct file *file, poll_table *wait)
 	return res;
 }
 
-static bool rfkill_readable(struct rfkill_data *data)
-{
-	bool r;
-
-	mutex_lock(&data->mtx);
-	r = !list_empty(&data->events);
-	mutex_unlock(&data->mtx);
-
-	return r;
-}
-
 static ssize_t rfkill_fop_read(struct file *file, char __user *buf,
 			       size_t count, loff_t *pos)
 {
@@ -1115,8 +1104,11 @@ static ssize_t rfkill_fop_read(struct file *file, char __user *buf,
 			goto out;
 		}
 		mutex_unlock(&data->mtx);
+		/* since we re-check and it just compares pointers,
+		 * using !list_empty() without locking isn't a problem
+		 */
 		ret = wait_event_interruptible(data->read_wait,
-					       rfkill_readable(data));
+					       !list_empty(&data->events));
 		mutex_lock(&data->mtx);
 
 		if (ret)