diff --git a/drivers/input/ff-memless.c b/drivers/input/ff-memless.c
index 6790e975a98c327fd038198f535be9fc9059ab5b..bc4e40f3ede7303d97816a6cbf8588c8f22118d2 100644
--- a/drivers/input/ff-memless.c
+++ b/drivers/input/ff-memless.c
@@ -397,8 +397,9 @@ static int ml_ff_playback(struct input_dev *dev, int effect_id, int value)
 {
 	struct ml_device *ml = dev->ff->private;
 	struct ml_effect_state *state = &ml->states[effect_id];
+	unsigned long flags;
 
-	spin_lock_bh(&ml->timer_lock);
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&ml->timer_lock, flags);
 
 	if (value > 0) {
 		debug("initiated play");
@@ -424,7 +425,7 @@ static int ml_ff_playback(struct input_dev *dev, int effect_id, int value)
 		ml_play_effects(ml);
 	}
 
-	spin_unlock_bh(&ml->timer_lock);
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&ml->timer_lock, flags);
 
 	return 0;
 }