diff --git a/drivers/video/console/bitblit.c b/drivers/video/console/bitblit.c
index 28b1a834906b..61b182bf32a2 100644
--- a/drivers/video/console/bitblit.c
+++ b/drivers/video/console/bitblit.c
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ static void bit_putcs(struct vc_data *vc, struct fb_info *info,
 	image.depth = 1;
 
 	if (attribute) {
-		buf = kmalloc(cellsize, GFP_KERNEL);
+		buf = kmalloc(cellsize, GFP_ATOMIC);
 		if (!buf)
 			return;
 	}