diff --git a/kernel/rcu/torture.c b/kernel/rcu/torture.c
index 732f8ae3086a..219761db1a46 100644
--- a/kernel/rcu/torture.c
+++ b/kernel/rcu/torture.c
@@ -805,7 +805,7 @@ rcu_torture_writer(void *arg)
 	static DEFINE_RCU_RANDOM(rand);
 
 	VERBOSE_PRINTK_STRING("rcu_torture_writer task started");
-	set_user_nice(current, 19);
+	set_user_nice(current, MAX_NICE);
 
 	do {
 		schedule_timeout_uninterruptible(1);
@@ -871,7 +871,7 @@ rcu_torture_fakewriter(void *arg)
 	DEFINE_RCU_RANDOM(rand);
 
 	VERBOSE_PRINTK_STRING("rcu_torture_fakewriter task started");
-	set_user_nice(current, 19);
+	set_user_nice(current, MAX_NICE);
 
 	do {
 		schedule_timeout_uninterruptible(1 + rcu_random(&rand)%10);
@@ -987,7 +987,7 @@ rcu_torture_reader(void *arg)
 	unsigned long long ts;
 
 	VERBOSE_PRINTK_STRING("rcu_torture_reader task started");
-	set_user_nice(current, 19);
+	set_user_nice(current, MAX_NICE);
 	if (irqreader && cur_ops->irq_capable)
 		setup_timer_on_stack(&t, rcu_torture_timer, 0);
 
@@ -1584,7 +1584,7 @@ static int rcu_torture_barrier_cbs(void *arg)
 
 	init_rcu_head_on_stack(&rcu);
 	VERBOSE_PRINTK_STRING("rcu_torture_barrier_cbs task started");
-	set_user_nice(current, 19);
+	set_user_nice(current, MAX_NICE);
 	do {
 		wait_event(barrier_cbs_wq[myid],
 			   (newphase =