diff --git a/main.cpp b/main.cpp
index ca4be50..4ff5749 100644
--- a/main.cpp
+++ b/main.cpp
@@ -55,10 +55,13 @@ void *thread_task_increment(const struct thread_data &thread) {
     // mutex
     {
 
-      // tell the thread manager we want the mutex
+      // wait for permission to ask for the mutex
+      while (!*thread.manager_took_mutex)
+        ;
+      // say we want the mutex
       (*thread.wants_mutex) = true;
       // block until we have the mutex
-      while (!*thread.has_mutex && *thread.manager_took_mutex)
+      while (!*thread.has_mutex)
         ;
 
       // enter the mutex