diff --git a/kernel/workqueue.c b/kernel/workqueue.c
index d51928981615..9e2ec4ca415a 100644
--- a/kernel/workqueue.c
+++ b/kernel/workqueue.c
@@ -3726,23 +3726,38 @@ static void pwq_unbound_release_workfn(struct work_struct *work)
 }
 
 /**
- * pwq_set_max_active - adjust max_active of a pwq
+ * pwq_adjust_max_active - update a pwq's max_active to the current setting
  * @pwq: target pool_workqueue
- * @max_active: new max_active value.
  *
- * Set @pwq->max_active to @max_active and activate delayed works if
- * increased.
- *
- * CONTEXT:
- * spin_lock_irq(pool->lock).
+ * If @pwq isn't freezing, set @pwq->max_active to the associated
+ * workqueue's saved_max_active and activate delayed work items
+ * accordingly.  If @pwq is freezing, clear @pwq->max_active to zero.
  */
-static void pwq_set_max_active(struct pool_workqueue *pwq, int max_active)
+static void pwq_adjust_max_active(struct pool_workqueue *pwq)
 {
-	pwq->max_active = max_active;
+	struct workqueue_struct *wq = pwq->wq;
+	bool freezable = wq->flags & WQ_FREEZABLE;
 
-	while (!list_empty(&pwq->delayed_works) &&
-	       pwq->nr_active < pwq->max_active)
-		pwq_activate_first_delayed(pwq);
+	/* for @wq->saved_max_active */
+	lockdep_assert_held(&workqueue_lock);
+
+	/* fast exit for non-freezable wqs */
+	if (!freezable && pwq->max_active == wq->saved_max_active)
+		return;
+
+	spin_lock(&pwq->pool->lock);
+
+	if (!freezable || !(pwq->pool->flags & POOL_FREEZING)) {
+		pwq->max_active = wq->saved_max_active;
+
+		while (!list_empty(&pwq->delayed_works) &&
+		       pwq->nr_active < pwq->max_active)
+			pwq_activate_first_delayed(pwq);
+	} else {
+		pwq->max_active = 0;
+	}
+
+	spin_unlock(&pwq->pool->lock);
 }
 
 static void init_and_link_pwq(struct pool_workqueue *pwq,
@@ -3932,15 +3947,14 @@ struct workqueue_struct *__alloc_workqueue_key(const char *fmt,
 		goto err_destroy;
 
 	/*
-	 * workqueue_lock protects global freeze state and workqueues
-	 * list.  Grab it, set max_active accordingly and add the new
-	 * workqueue to workqueues list.
+	 * workqueue_lock protects global freeze state and workqueues list.
+	 * Grab it, adjust max_active and add the new workqueue to
+	 * workqueues list.
 	 */
 	spin_lock_irq(&workqueue_lock);
 
-	if (workqueue_freezing && wq->flags & WQ_FREEZABLE)
-		for_each_pwq(pwq, wq)
-			pwq->max_active = 0;
+	for_each_pwq(pwq, wq)
+		pwq_adjust_max_active(pwq);
 
 	list_add(&wq->list, &workqueues);
 
@@ -4055,17 +4069,8 @@ void workqueue_set_max_active(struct workqueue_struct *wq, int max_active)
 
 	wq->saved_max_active = max_active;
 
-	for_each_pwq(pwq, wq) {
-		struct worker_pool *pool = pwq->pool;
-
-		spin_lock(&pool->lock);
-
-		if (!(wq->flags & WQ_FREEZABLE) ||
-		    !(pool->flags & POOL_FREEZING))
-			pwq_set_max_active(pwq, max_active);
-
-		spin_unlock(&pool->lock);
-	}
+	for_each_pwq(pwq, wq)
+		pwq_adjust_max_active(pwq);
 
 	spin_unlock_irq(&workqueue_lock);
 }
@@ -4358,14 +4363,8 @@ void freeze_workqueues_begin(void)
 
 	/* suppress further executions by setting max_active to zero */
 	list_for_each_entry(wq, &workqueues, list) {
-		if (!(wq->flags & WQ_FREEZABLE))
-			continue;
-
-		for_each_pwq(pwq, wq) {
-			spin_lock(&pwq->pool->lock);
-			pwq->max_active = 0;
-			spin_unlock(&pwq->pool->lock);
-		}
+		for_each_pwq(pwq, wq)
+			pwq_adjust_max_active(pwq);
 	}
 
 	spin_unlock_irq(&workqueue_lock);
@@ -4445,14 +4444,8 @@ void thaw_workqueues(void)
 
 	/* restore max_active and repopulate worklist */
 	list_for_each_entry(wq, &workqueues, list) {
-		if (!(wq->flags & WQ_FREEZABLE))
-			continue;
-
-		for_each_pwq(pwq, wq) {
-			spin_lock(&pwq->pool->lock);
-			pwq_set_max_active(pwq, wq->saved_max_active);
-			spin_unlock(&pwq->pool->lock);
-		}
+		for_each_pwq(pwq, wq)
+			pwq_adjust_max_active(pwq);
 	}
 
 	/* kick workers */