diff --git a/drivers/sensors/sensor.c b/drivers/sensors/sensor.c
index c170189bbfe..d23c83b54a6 100644
--- a/drivers/sensors/sensor.c
+++ b/drivers/sensors/sensor.c
@@ -1017,13 +1017,10 @@ static int sensor_ioctl(FAR struct file *filep, int cmd, unsigned long arg)
 
      case SNIOC_FLUSH:
         {
-          nxrmutex_lock(&upper->lock);
-
           /* If the sensor is not activated, return -EINVAL. */
 
           if (upper->state.nsubscribers == 0)
             {
-              nxrmutex_unlock(&upper->lock);
               return -EINVAL;
             }
 
@@ -1061,8 +1058,6 @@ static int sensor_ioctl(FAR struct file *filep, int cmd, unsigned long arg)
                   ret = 0;
                 }
             }
-
-          nxrmutex_unlock(&upper->lock);
         }
         break;