diff --git a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_ble_adapter.c b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_ble_adapter.c
index f3232b86899..22de775e740 100644
--- a/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_ble_adapter.c
+++ b/arch/xtensa/src/esp32/esp32_ble_adapter.c
@@ -772,6 +772,15 @@ static int32_t esp_task_create_pinned_to_core(void *entry,
 
   DEBUGASSERT(task_handle != NULL);
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_SMP
+  ret = sched_lock();
+  if (ret)
+    {
+      wlerr("Failed to lock scheduler before creating pinned thread\n");
+      return false;
+    }
+#endif
+
   pid = kthread_create(name, prio, stack_depth, entry,
                       (char * const *)param);
   if (pid > 0)
@@ -800,6 +809,15 @@ static int32_t esp_task_create_pinned_to_core(void *entry,
       wlerr("Failed to create task, error %d\n", pid);
     }
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_SMP
+  ret = sched_unlock();
+  if (ret)
+    {
+      wlerr("Failed to unlock scheduler after creating pinned thread\n");
+      return false;
+    }
+#endif
+
   return pid > 0;
 }