diff --git a/arch/x86/kernel/traps.c b/arch/x86/kernel/traps.c
index 1f66d2d1e998..81a2fb711091 100644
--- a/arch/x86/kernel/traps.c
+++ b/arch/x86/kernel/traps.c
@@ -729,20 +729,9 @@ static bool is_sysenter_singlestep(struct pt_regs *regs)
 #endif
 }
 
-static __always_inline void debug_enter(unsigned long *dr6, unsigned long *dr7)
+static __always_inline unsigned long debug_read_clear_dr6(void)
 {
-	/*
-	 * Disable breakpoints during exception handling; recursive exceptions
-	 * are exceedingly 'fun'.
-	 *
-	 * Since this function is NOKPROBE, and that also applies to
-	 * HW_BREAKPOINT_X, we can't hit a breakpoint before this (XXX except a
-	 * HW_BREAKPOINT_W on our stack)
-	 *
-	 * Entry text is excluded for HW_BP_X and cpu_entry_area, which
-	 * includes the entry stack is excluded for everything.
-	 */
-	*dr7 = local_db_save();
+	unsigned long dr6;
 
 	/*
 	 * The Intel SDM says:
@@ -755,15 +744,12 @@ static __always_inline void debug_enter(unsigned long *dr6, unsigned long *dr7)
 	 *
 	 * Keep it simple: clear DR6 immediately.
 	 */
-	get_debugreg(*dr6, 6);
+	get_debugreg(dr6, 6);
 	set_debugreg(0, 6);
 	/* Filter out all the reserved bits which are preset to 1 */
-	*dr6 &= ~DR6_RESERVED;
-}
+	dr6 &= ~DR6_RESERVED;
 
-static __always_inline void debug_exit(unsigned long dr7)
-{
-	local_db_restore(dr7);
+	return dr6;
 }
 
 /*
@@ -863,6 +849,18 @@ out:
 static __always_inline void exc_debug_kernel(struct pt_regs *regs,
 					     unsigned long dr6)
 {
+	/*
+	 * Disable breakpoints during exception handling; recursive exceptions
+	 * are exceedingly 'fun'.
+	 *
+	 * Since this function is NOKPROBE, and that also applies to
+	 * HW_BREAKPOINT_X, we can't hit a breakpoint before this (XXX except a
+	 * HW_BREAKPOINT_W on our stack)
+	 *
+	 * Entry text is excluded for HW_BP_X and cpu_entry_area, which
+	 * includes the entry stack is excluded for everything.
+	 */
+	unsigned long dr7 = local_db_save();
 	bool irq_state = idtentry_enter_nmi(regs);
 	instrumentation_begin();
 
@@ -883,6 +881,8 @@ static __always_inline void exc_debug_kernel(struct pt_regs *regs,
 
 	instrumentation_end();
 	idtentry_exit_nmi(regs, irq_state);
+
+	local_db_restore(dr7);
 }
 
 static __always_inline void exc_debug_user(struct pt_regs *regs,
@@ -894,6 +894,15 @@ static __always_inline void exc_debug_user(struct pt_regs *regs,
 	 */
 	WARN_ON_ONCE(!user_mode(regs));
 
+	/*
+	 * NB: We can't easily clear DR7 here because
+	 * idtentry_exit_to_usermode() can invoke ptrace, schedule, access
+	 * user memory, etc.  This means that a recursive #DB is possible.  If
+	 * this happens, that #DB will hit exc_debug_kernel() and clear DR7.
+	 * Since we're not on the IST stack right now, everything will be
+	 * fine.
+	 */
+
 	irqentry_enter_from_user_mode(regs);
 	instrumentation_begin();
 
@@ -907,36 +916,24 @@ static __always_inline void exc_debug_user(struct pt_regs *regs,
 /* IST stack entry */
 DEFINE_IDTENTRY_DEBUG(exc_debug)
 {
-	unsigned long dr6, dr7;
-
-	debug_enter(&dr6, &dr7);
-	exc_debug_kernel(regs, dr6);
-	debug_exit(dr7);
+	exc_debug_kernel(regs, debug_read_clear_dr6());
 }
 
 /* User entry, runs on regular task stack */
 DEFINE_IDTENTRY_DEBUG_USER(exc_debug)
 {
-	unsigned long dr6, dr7;
-
-	debug_enter(&dr6, &dr7);
-	exc_debug_user(regs, dr6);
-	debug_exit(dr7);
+	exc_debug_user(regs, debug_read_clear_dr6());
 }
 #else
 /* 32 bit does not have separate entry points. */
 DEFINE_IDTENTRY_RAW(exc_debug)
 {
-	unsigned long dr6, dr7;
-
-	debug_enter(&dr6, &dr7);
+	unsigned long dr6 = debug_read_clear_dr6();
 
 	if (user_mode(regs))
 		exc_debug_user(regs, dr6);
 	else
 		exc_debug_kernel(regs, dr6);
-
-	debug_exit(dr7);
 }
 #endif