diff --git a/monitor.c b/monitor.c
index 0fba3ccc20..5c60bf08cc 100644
--- a/monitor.c
+++ b/monitor.c
@@ -206,7 +206,15 @@ struct Monitor {
     int suspend_cnt;            /* Needs to be accessed atomically */
     bool skip_flush;
     bool use_io_thr;
+
+    /*
+     * State used only in the thread "owning" the monitor.
+     * If @use_io_thr, this is mon_global.mon_iothread.
+     * Else, it's the main thread.
+     * These members can be safely accessed without locks.
+     */
     ReadLineState *rs;
+
     MonitorQMP qmp;
     gchar *mon_cpu_path;
     BlockCompletionFunc *password_completion_cb;
@@ -1311,7 +1319,7 @@ void qmp_qmp_capabilities(bool has_enable, QMPCapabilityList *enable,
     cur_mon->qmp.commands = &qmp_commands;
 }
 
-/* set the current CPU defined by the user */
+/* Set the current CPU defined by the user. Callers must hold BQL. */
 int monitor_set_cpu(int cpu_index)
 {
     CPUState *cpu;
@@ -1325,6 +1333,7 @@ int monitor_set_cpu(int cpu_index)
     return 0;
 }
 
+/* Callers must hold BQL. */
 static CPUState *mon_get_cpu_sync(bool synchronize)
 {
     CPUState *cpu;