diff --git a/net/netrom/nr_route.c b/net/netrom/nr_route.c
index 89e12e6eea2e..70480869ad1c 100644
--- a/net/netrom/nr_route.c
+++ b/net/netrom/nr_route.c
@@ -728,7 +728,7 @@ void nr_link_failed(ax25_cb *ax25, int reason)
 	nr_neigh->ax25 = NULL;
 	ax25_cb_put(ax25);
 
-	if (++nr_neigh->failed < sysctl_netrom_link_fails_count) {
+	if (++nr_neigh->failed < READ_ONCE(sysctl_netrom_link_fails_count)) {
 		nr_neigh_put(nr_neigh);
 		return;
 	}