diff --git a/opal/class/opal_lifo.h b/opal/class/opal_lifo.h
index 5f1ea972d7..ca66a6e9a5 100644
--- a/opal/class/opal_lifo.h
+++ b/opal/class/opal_lifo.h
@@ -208,6 +208,8 @@ static inline opal_list_item_t *opal_lifo_pop_atomic (opal_lifo_t* lifo)
         return NULL;
     }
 
+    opal_atomic_wmb ();
+
     item->opal_list_next = NULL;
     return item;
 }