diff --git a/pkg/sentry/kernel/threads.go b/pkg/sentry/kernel/threads.go
index 844213c35..3d5713106 100644
--- a/pkg/sentry/kernel/threads.go
+++ b/pkg/sentry/kernel/threads.go
@@ -441,6 +441,8 @@ func (t *Task) Timekeeper() *Timekeeper {
 
 // Parent returns t's parent.
 func (t *Task) Parent() *Task {
+	t.tg.pidns.owner.mu.RLock()
+	defer t.tg.pidns.owner.mu.RUnlock()
 	return t.parent
 }