diff --git a/drivers/iio/health/max30102.c b/drivers/iio/health/max30102.c
index 437298a29f2d..66df4aaa31a7 100644
--- a/drivers/iio/health/max30102.c
+++ b/drivers/iio/health/max30102.c
@@ -477,12 +477,23 @@ static int max30102_read_raw(struct iio_dev *indio_dev,
 		 * Temperature reading can only be acquired when not in
 		 * shutdown; leave shutdown briefly when buffer not running
 		 */
-		mutex_lock(&indio_dev->mlock);
-		if (!iio_buffer_enabled(indio_dev))
+any_mode_retry:
+		if (iio_device_claim_buffer_mode(indio_dev)) {
+			/*
+			 * This one is a *bit* hacky. If we cannot claim buffer
+			 * mode, then try direct mode so that we make sure
+			 * things cannot concurrently change. And we just keep
+			 * trying until we get one of the modes...
+			 */
+			if (iio_device_claim_direct_mode(indio_dev))
+				goto any_mode_retry;
+
 			ret = max30102_get_temp(data, val, true);
-		else
+			iio_device_release_direct_mode(indio_dev);
+		} else {
 			ret = max30102_get_temp(data, val, false);
-		mutex_unlock(&indio_dev->mlock);
+			iio_device_release_buffer_mode(indio_dev);
+		}
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;