diff --git a/sound/synth/emux/emux.c b/sound/synth/emux/emux.c
index d8140ad98d5f..6f6f40fbe548 100644
--- a/sound/synth/emux/emux.c
+++ b/sound/synth/emux/emux.c
@@ -138,15 +138,10 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL(snd_emux_register);
  */
 int snd_emux_free(struct snd_emux *emu)
 {
-	unsigned long flags;
-
 	if (! emu)
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	spin_lock_irqsave(&emu->voice_lock, flags);
-	if (emu->timer_active)
-		del_timer(&emu->tlist);
-	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&emu->voice_lock, flags);
+	del_timer_sync(&emu->tlist);
 
 	snd_emux_proc_free(emu);
 	snd_emux_delete_virmidi(emu);