diff --git a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
index 4fbca8da0ab5..c9bae90ea1f4 100644
--- a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
+++ b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ static void ir_do_keyup(struct rc_dev *dev, bool sync)
 		return;
 
 	IR_dprintk(1, "keyup key 0x%04x\n", dev->last_keycode);
-	del_timer_sync(&dev->timer_repeat);
+	del_timer(&dev->timer_repeat);
 	input_report_key(dev->input_dev, dev->last_keycode, 0);
 	led_trigger_event(led_feedback, LED_OFF);
 	if (sync)