diff --git a/kernel/rcu/tree.h b/kernel/rcu/tree.h
index b8bbe7960cda..2265b9c2906e 100644
--- a/kernel/rcu/tree.h
+++ b/kernel/rcu/tree.h
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ struct rcu_data {
 					/*  during and after the last grace */
 					/* period it is aware of. */
 	struct irq_work defer_qs_iw;	/* Obtain later scheduler attention. */
-	int defer_qs_iw_pending;	/* Scheduler attention pending? */
+	int defer_qs_pending;		/* irqwork or softirq pending? */
 	struct work_struct strict_work;	/* Schedule readers for strict GPs. */
 
 	/* 2) batch handling */
diff --git a/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h b/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
index dbe2d02be824..95ad967adcf3 100644
--- a/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
+++ b/kernel/rcu/tree_plugin.h
@@ -487,8 +487,8 @@ rcu_preempt_deferred_qs_irqrestore(struct task_struct *t, unsigned long flags)
 	union rcu_special special;
 
 	rdp = this_cpu_ptr(&rcu_data);
-	if (rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending == DEFER_QS_PENDING)
-		rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending = DEFER_QS_IDLE;
+	if (rdp->defer_qs_pending == DEFER_QS_PENDING)
+		rdp->defer_qs_pending = DEFER_QS_IDLE;
 
 	/*
 	 * If RCU core is waiting for this CPU to exit its critical section,
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ static void rcu_preempt_deferred_qs_handler(struct irq_work *iwp)
 	 * 5. Deferred QS reporting does not happen.
 	 */
 	if (rcu_preempt_depth() > 0)
-		WRITE_ONCE(rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending, DEFER_QS_IDLE);
+		WRITE_ONCE(rdp->defer_qs_pending, DEFER_QS_IDLE);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -747,7 +747,10 @@ static void rcu_read_unlock_special(struct task_struct *t)
 			// Using softirq, safe to awaken, and either the
 			// wakeup is free or there is either an expedited
 			// GP in flight or a potential need to deboost.
-			raise_softirq_irqoff(RCU_SOFTIRQ);
+			if (rdp->defer_qs_pending != DEFER_QS_PENDING) {
+				rdp->defer_qs_pending = DEFER_QS_PENDING;
+				raise_softirq_irqoff(RCU_SOFTIRQ);
+			}
 		} else {
 			// Enabling BH or preempt does reschedule, so...
 			// Also if no expediting and no possible deboosting,
@@ -755,11 +758,11 @@ static void rcu_read_unlock_special(struct task_struct *t)
 			// tick enabled.
 			set_need_resched_current();
 			if (IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_IRQ_WORK) && irqs_were_disabled &&
-			    needs_exp && rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending != DEFER_QS_PENDING &&
+			    needs_exp && rdp->defer_qs_pending != DEFER_QS_PENDING &&
 			    cpu_online(rdp->cpu)) {
 				// Get scheduler to re-evaluate and call hooks.
 				// If !IRQ_WORK, FQS scan will eventually IPI.
-				rdp->defer_qs_iw_pending = DEFER_QS_PENDING;
+				rdp->defer_qs_pending = DEFER_QS_PENDING;
 				irq_work_queue_on(&rdp->defer_qs_iw, rdp->cpu);
 			}
 		}