diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_port.c b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_port.c
index d5ad6cae6b652b29416febaa7dd2669b297e928d..23aed9e89e3047f7110b75a075bd73f5c7608949 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_port.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/8250/8250_port.c
@@ -2375,9 +2375,8 @@ int serial8250_do_startup(struct uart_port *port)
 	/*
 	 * Now, initialize the UART
 	 */
-	serial_port_out(port, UART_LCR, UART_LCR_WLEN8);
-
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&port->lock, flags);
+	serial_port_out(port, UART_LCR, UART_LCR_WLEN8);
 	if (up->port.flags & UPF_FOURPORT) {
 		if (!up->port.irq)
 			up->port.mctrl |= TIOCM_OUT1;