diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
index af9ddd3902cc..1cd92c12e782 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
@@ -1121,13 +1121,10 @@ static struct slave *bond_find_best_slave(struct bonding *bond)
 	return bestslave;
 }
 
+/* must be called in RCU critical section or with RTNL held */
 static bool bond_should_notify_peers(struct bonding *bond)
 {
-	struct slave *slave;
-
-	rcu_read_lock();
-	slave = rcu_dereference(bond->curr_active_slave);
-	rcu_read_unlock();
+	struct slave *slave = rcu_dereference_rtnl(bond->curr_active_slave);
 
 	if (!slave || !bond->send_peer_notif ||
 	    bond->send_peer_notif %