diff --git a/kernel/locking/osq_lock.c b/kernel/locking/osq_lock.c
index dc85ee23a26f79416a140241e3067a5a2ca24d0b..d092a0c9c2d4ed838004215cdf038691a14f4598 100644
--- a/kernel/locking/osq_lock.c
+++ b/kernel/locking/osq_lock.c
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ osq_wait_next(struct optimistic_spin_queue *lock,
 
 	for (;;) {
 		if (atomic_read(&lock->tail) == curr &&
-		    atomic_cmpxchg(&lock->tail, curr, old) == curr) {
+		    atomic_cmpxchg_acquire(&lock->tail, curr, old) == curr) {
 			/*
 			 * We were the last queued, we moved @lock back. @prev
 			 * will now observe @lock and will complete its
@@ -92,7 +92,11 @@ bool osq_lock(struct optimistic_spin_queue *lock)
 	node->next = NULL;
 	node->cpu = curr;
 
-	old = atomic_xchg(&lock->tail, curr);
+	/*
+	 * ACQUIRE semantics, pairs with corresponding RELEASE
+	 * in unlock() uncontended, or fastpath.
+	 */
+	old = atomic_xchg_acquire(&lock->tail, curr);
 	if (old == OSQ_UNLOCKED_VAL)
 		return true;
 
@@ -184,7 +188,8 @@ void osq_unlock(struct optimistic_spin_queue *lock)
 	/*
 	 * Fast path for the uncontended case.
 	 */
-	if (likely(atomic_cmpxchg(&lock->tail, curr, OSQ_UNLOCKED_VAL) == curr))
+	if (likely(atomic_cmpxchg_release(&lock->tail, curr,
+					  OSQ_UNLOCKED_VAL) == curr))
 		return;
 
 	/*