diff --git a/base/src/core/include/irq_proxy.h b/base/src/core/include/irq_proxy.h
index 33792ea8e..f95ebc18d 100644
--- a/base/src/core/include/irq_proxy.h
+++ b/base/src/core/include/irq_proxy.h
@@ -154,10 +154,12 @@ class Genode::Irq_proxy : public THREAD,
 		 */
 		void entry()
 		{
-			if (_associate()) {
-				_startup_lock.unlock();
+			bool const associate_suceeded = _associate();
+
+			_startup_lock.unlock();
+
+			if (associate_suceeded)
 				_loop();
-			}
 		}
 
 		/**