--- a/kernel/vhost_task.c
+++ b/kernel/vhost_task.c
@@ -59,9 +59,9 @@ static int vhost_task_fn(void *data)
 	 */
 	if (!test_bit(VHOST_TASK_FLAGS_STOP, &vtsk->flags)) {
 		set_bit(VHOST_TASK_FLAGS_KILLED, &vtsk->flags);
-		vtsk->handle_sigkill(vtsk->data);
 	}
 	mutex_unlock(&vtsk->exit_mutex);
+	vtsk->handle_sigkill(vtsk->data);
 	complete(&vtsk->exited);
 
 	do_exit(0);