diff --git a/drivers/virtio/virtio_balloon.c b/drivers/virtio/virtio_balloon.c
index 34bdabaecbd6..36e7859a31aa 100644
--- a/drivers/virtio/virtio_balloon.c
+++ b/drivers/virtio/virtio_balloon.c
@@ -310,6 +310,12 @@ static int balloon(void *_vballoon)
 		else if (diff < 0)
 			leak_balloon(vb, -diff);
 		update_balloon_size(vb);
+
+		/*
+		 * For large balloon changes, we could spend a lot of time
+		 * and always have work to do.  Be nice if preempt disabled.
+		 */
+		cond_resched();
 	}
 	return 0;
 }