diff --git a/kernel/cgroup/cpuset.c b/kernel/cgroup/cpuset.c
index e3a081a07c6d..a48901a0416a 100644
--- a/kernel/cgroup/cpuset.c
+++ b/kernel/cgroup/cpuset.c
@@ -4176,11 +4176,11 @@ static struct cpuset *nearest_hardwall_ancestor(struct cpuset *cs)
  * current's mems_allowed, yes.  If it's not a __GFP_HARDWALL request and this
  * node is set in the nearest hardwalled cpuset ancestor to current's cpuset,
  * yes.  If current has access to memory reserves as an oom victim, yes.
- * Otherwise, no.
+ * If the current task is PF_EXITING, yes. Otherwise, no.
  *
  * GFP_USER allocations are marked with the __GFP_HARDWALL bit,
  * and do not allow allocations outside the current tasks cpuset
- * unless the task has been OOM killed.
+ * unless the task has been OOM killed or is exiting.
  * GFP_KERNEL allocations are not so marked, so can escape to the
  * nearest enclosing hardwalled ancestor cpuset.
  *
@@ -4194,7 +4194,9 @@ static struct cpuset *nearest_hardwall_ancestor(struct cpuset *cs)
  * The first call here from mm/page_alloc:get_page_from_freelist()
  * has __GFP_HARDWALL set in gfp_mask, enforcing hardwall cpusets,
  * so no allocation on a node outside the cpuset is allowed (unless
- * in interrupt, of course).
+ * in interrupt, of course).  The PF_EXITING check must therefore
+ * come before the __GFP_HARDWALL check, otherwise a dying task
+ * would be blocked on the fast path.
  *
  * The second pass through get_page_from_freelist() doesn't even call
  * here for GFP_ATOMIC calls.  For those calls, the __alloc_pages()
@@ -4204,6 +4206,7 @@ static struct cpuset *nearest_hardwall_ancestor(struct cpuset *cs)
  *	in_interrupt - any node ok (current task context irrelevant)
  *	GFP_ATOMIC   - any node ok
  *	tsk_is_oom_victim   - any node ok
+ *	PF_EXITING   - any node ok (let dying task exit quickly)
  *	GFP_KERNEL   - any node in enclosing hardwalled cpuset ok
  *	GFP_USER     - only nodes in current tasks mems allowed ok.
  */
@@ -4223,11 +4226,10 @@ bool cpuset_current_node_allowed(int node, gfp_t gfp_mask)
 	 */
 	if (unlikely(tsk_is_oom_victim(current)))
 		return true;
-	if (gfp_mask & __GFP_HARDWALL)	/* If hardwall request, stop here */
-		return false;
-
 	if (current->flags & PF_EXITING) /* Let dying task have memory */
 		return true;
+	if (gfp_mask & __GFP_HARDWALL)	/* If hardwall request, stop here */
+		return false;
 
 	/* Not hardwall and node outside mems_allowed: scan up cpusets */
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&callback_lock, flags);