diff --git a/libs/libc/pthread/pthread_once.c b/libs/libc/pthread/pthread_once.c
index 05d3b995a0d91..dd120efe81645 100644
--- a/libs/libc/pthread/pthread_once.c
+++ b/libs/libc/pthread/pthread_once.c
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #include <errno.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <pthread.h>
-#include <sched.h>
+#include <nuttx/irq.h>
 #include <debug.h>
 
 /****************************************************************************
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@
 int pthread_once(FAR pthread_once_t *once_control,
                  CODE void (*init_routine)(void))
 {
+  irqstate_t flags;
+
   /* Sanity checks */
 
   if (once_control == NULL || init_routine == NULL)
@@ -73,7 +75,7 @@ int pthread_once(FAR pthread_once_t *once_control,
 
   /* Prohibit pre-emption while we test and set the once_control. */
 
-  sched_lock();
+  flags = enter_critical_section();
 
   if (!*once_control)
     {
@@ -81,7 +83,7 @@ int pthread_once(FAR pthread_once_t *once_control,
 
       /* Call the init_routine with pre-emption enabled. */
 
-      sched_unlock();
+      leave_critical_section(flags);
       init_routine();
       return OK;
     }
@@ -90,6 +92,6 @@ int pthread_once(FAR pthread_once_t *once_control,
    * Restore pre-emption and return.
    */
 
-  sched_unlock();
+  leave_critical_section(flags);
   return OK;
 }