diff --git a/sched/pthread/pthread_mutex.c b/sched/pthread/pthread_mutex.c
index 79223d88a46e0..833f4f4acf1d0 100644
--- a/sched/pthread/pthread_mutex.c
+++ b/sched/pthread/pthread_mutex.c
@@ -71,6 +71,41 @@ static void pthread_mutex_add(FAR struct pthread_mutex_s *mutex)
   leave_critical_section(flags);
 }
 
+/****************************************************************************
+ * Name: pthread_mutex_check
+ *
+ * Description:
+ *   Verify that the mutex is not in the list of mutexes held by
+ *   this pthread.
+ *
+ * Input Parameters:
+ *  mutex - The mutex to be locked
+ *
+ * Returned Value:
+ *   None
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+#ifdef CONFIG_DEBUG_ASSERTIONS
+static void pthread_mutex_check(FAR struct pthread_mutex_s *mutex)
+{
+  FAR struct tcb_s *tcb = this_task();
+  irqstate_t flags = enter_critical_section();
+  FAR struct pthread_mutex_s *cur;
+
+  DEBUGASSERT(mutex != NULL);
+  for (cur = tcb->mhead; cur != NULL; cur = cur->flink)
+    {
+      /* The mutex should not be in the list of mutexes held by this task */
+
+      DEBUGASSERT(cur != mutex);
+    }
+
+  leave_critical_section(flags);
+}
+
+#endif
+
 /****************************************************************************
  * Name: pthread_mutex_remove
  *
@@ -145,9 +180,6 @@ int pthread_mutex_take(FAR struct pthread_mutex_s *mutex,
 {
   int ret = EINVAL;
 
-  /* Verify input parameters */
-
-  DEBUGASSERT(mutex != NULL);
   if (mutex != NULL)
     {
       /* Make sure that no unexpected context switches occur */
@@ -197,6 +229,9 @@ int pthread_mutex_take(FAR struct pthread_mutex_s *mutex,
 
               else if (!mutex_is_recursive(&mutex->mutex))
                 {
+#ifdef CONFIG_DEBUG_ASSERTIONS
+                  pthread_mutex_check(mutex);
+#endif
                   pthread_mutex_add(mutex);
                 }
             }