diff --git a/usr.sbin/watchdogd/watchdogd.c b/usr.sbin/watchdogd/watchdogd.c
index f0896a92f329..cce84e1d9a1e 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/watchdogd/watchdogd.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/watchdogd/watchdogd.c
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		pidfile_write(pfh);
 		if (madvise(0, 0, MADV_PROTECT) != 0)
 			warn("madvise failed");
-		if (mlockall(MCL_FUTURE) != 0)
+		if (mlockall(MCL_CURRENT | MCL_FUTURE) != 0)
 			warn("mlockall failed");
 
 		watchdog_loop();