diff --git a/include/net/netfilter/xt_log.h b/include/net/netfilter/xt_log.h
index 7e1544e8f70d..9d9756cca013 100644
--- a/include/net/netfilter/xt_log.h
+++ b/include/net/netfilter/xt_log.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ static void sb_close(struct sbuff *m)
 	if (likely(m != &emergency))
 		kfree(m);
 	else {
-		xchg(&emergency_ptr, m);
+		emergency_ptr = m;
 		local_bh_enable();
 	}
 }