diff --git a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/engine.go b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/engine.go
index 76d26b7f869..f01dc7b5ec2 100644
--- a/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/engine.go
+++ b/go/vt/vttablet/tabletmanager/vreplication/engine.go
@@ -153,7 +153,11 @@ func (vre *Engine) InitDBConfig(dbcfgs *dbconfigs.DBConfigs) {
 	vre.dbName = dbcfgs.DBName
 
 	// Ensure the schema is created as early as possible
-	go vre.Exec(warmUpQuery)
+	go func() {
+		vre.mu.Lock()
+		defer vre.mu.Unlock()
+		vre.Exec(warmUpQuery)
+	}()
 }
 
 // NewTestEngine creates a new Engine for testing.