diff --git a/kernel/trace/rethook.c b/kernel/trace/rethook.c
index 4297a132a7ae..30d224946881 100644
--- a/kernel/trace/rethook.c
+++ b/kernel/trace/rethook.c
@@ -166,6 +166,7 @@ struct rethook_node *rethook_try_get(struct rethook *rh)
 	if (unlikely(!handler))
 		return NULL;
 
+#if defined(CONFIG_FTRACE_VALIDATE_RCU_IS_WATCHING) || defined(CONFIG_KPROBE_EVENTS_ON_NOTRACE)
 	/*
 	 * This expects the caller will set up a rethook on a function entry.
 	 * When the function returns, the rethook will eventually be reclaimed
@@ -174,6 +175,7 @@ struct rethook_node *rethook_try_get(struct rethook *rh)
 	 */
 	if (unlikely(!rcu_is_watching()))
 		return NULL;
+#endif
 
 	return (struct rethook_node *)objpool_pop(&rh->pool);
 }