diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/altera_uart.c b/drivers/tty/serial/altera_uart.c
index 0e487ce091ac..7c5f4e966b59 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/altera_uart.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/altera_uart.c
@@ -243,9 +243,7 @@ static void altera_uart_rx_chars(struct altera_uart *pp)
 				 flag);
 	}
 
-	spin_unlock(&port->lock);
 	tty_flip_buffer_push(&port->state->port);
-	spin_lock(&port->lock);
 }
 
 static void altera_uart_tx_chars(struct altera_uart *pp)