diff --git a/sys/kern/kern_cons.c b/sys/kern/kern_cons.c
index 751f01924d36..5f4bf63bed0f 100644
--- a/sys/kern/kern_cons.c
+++ b/sys/kern/kern_cons.c
@@ -93,7 +93,11 @@ int	cons_avail_mask = 0;	/* Bit mask. Each registered low level console
 				 * (i.e., if it is in graphics mode) will have
 				 * this bit cleared.
 				 */
+
 static int cn_mute;
+SYSCTL_INT(_kern, OID_AUTO, consmute, CTLFLAG_RW, &cn_mute, 0,
+    "State of the console muting");
+
 static char *consbuf;			/* buffer used by `consmsgbuf' */
 static struct callout conscallout;	/* callout for outputting to constty */
 struct msgbuf consmsgbuf;		/* message buffer for console tty */
@@ -365,26 +369,6 @@ SYSCTL_PROC(_kern, OID_AUTO, console,
     sysctl_kern_console, "A",
     "Console device control");
 
-/*
- * User has changed the state of the console muting.
- * This may require us to open or close the device in question.
- */
-static int
-sysctl_kern_consmute(SYSCTL_HANDLER_ARGS)
-{
-	int error;
-
-	error = sysctl_handle_int(oidp, &cn_mute, 0, req);
-	if (error != 0 || req->newptr == NULL)
-		return (error);
-	return (error);
-}
-
-SYSCTL_PROC(_kern, OID_AUTO, consmute,
-    CTLTYPE_INT | CTLFLAG_RW | CTLFLAG_NEEDGIANT, 0, sizeof(cn_mute),
-    sysctl_kern_consmute, "I",
-    "State of the console muting");
-
 void
 cngrab()
 {