diff --git a/drivers/char/sysrq.c b/drivers/char/sysrq.c
index 5d15630a583..5d64e3acb00 100644
--- a/drivers/char/sysrq.c
+++ b/drivers/char/sysrq.c
@@ -580,8 +580,12 @@ static bool sysrq_filter(struct input_handle *handle, unsigned int type,
 	case KEY_RIGHTALT:
 		if (value)
 			sysrq_alt = code;
-		else if (sysrq_down && code == sysrq_alt_use)
-			sysrq_down = false;
+		else {
+			if (sysrq_down && code == sysrq_alt_use)
+				sysrq_down = false;
+
+			sysrq_alt = 0;
+		}
 		break;
 
 	case KEY_SYSRQ: