diff --git a/sys/dev/xen/blkfront/blkfront.c b/sys/dev/xen/blkfront/blkfront.c
index 4f67d1f827e..72498620764 100644
--- a/sys/dev/xen/blkfront/blkfront.c
+++ b/sys/dev/xen/blkfront/blkfront.c
@@ -924,7 +924,7 @@ xbd_setup_sysctl(struct xbd_softc *xbd)
 	    "communication channel pages (negotiated)");
 
 	SYSCTL_ADD_PROC(sysctl_ctx, children, OID_AUTO,
-	    "features", CTLTYPE_STRING | CTLFLAG_RD | CTLFLAG_NEEDGIANT, xbd,
+	    "features", CTLTYPE_STRING | CTLFLAG_RD | CTLFLAG_MPSAFE, xbd,
 	    0, xbd_sysctl_features, "A", "protocol features (negotiated)");
 }