diff --git a/kernel/printk/internal.h b/kernel/printk/internal.h
index 5d9deb56b582..448a5fcd5228 100644
--- a/kernel/printk/internal.h
+++ b/kernel/printk/internal.h
@@ -86,6 +86,8 @@ void nbcon_free(struct console *con);
 
 /*
  * Check if the given console is currently capable and allowed to print
+ * records. Note that this function does not consider the current context,
+ * which can also play a role in deciding if @con can be used to print
  * records.
  *
  * Requires the console_srcu_read_lock.
@@ -100,8 +102,13 @@ static inline bool console_is_usable(struct console *con)
 	if ((flags & CON_SUSPENDED))
 		return false;
 
-	if (!con->write)
-		return false;
+	if (flags & CON_NBCON) {
+		if (!con->write_atomic)
+			return false;
+	} else {
+		if (!con->write)
+			return false;
+	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Console drivers may assume that per-cpu resources have been