diff --git a/src/gallium/auxiliary/util/u_inlines.h b/src/gallium/auxiliary/util/u_inlines.h
index 68606b99502..30b1328480d 100644
--- a/src/gallium/auxiliary/util/u_inlines.h
+++ b/src/gallium/auxiliary/util/u_inlines.h
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ extern "C" {
 static inline void
 pipe_reference_init(struct pipe_reference *dst, unsigned count)
 {
-   p_atomic_set(&dst->count, count);
+   dst->count = count;
 }
 
 static inline boolean