diff --git a/drivers/watchdog/pcwd.c b/drivers/watchdog/pcwd.c
index 3b0ddc7..9e1331a 100644
--- a/drivers/watchdog/pcwd.c
+++ b/drivers/watchdog/pcwd.c
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
 static int cards_found;
 
 /* internal variables */
-static atomic_t open_allowed = ATOMIC_INIT(1);
+static unsigned long open_allowed;
 static char expect_close;
 static int temp_panic;