diff --git a/utils/LocSharedLock.h b/utils/LocSharedLock.h
index 6b9e27f1..7fe62376 100644
--- a/utils/LocSharedLock.h
+++ b/utils/LocSharedLock.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 #define __LOC_SHARED_LOCK__
 
 #include <stddef.h>
+#include <cutils/atomic.h>
 #include <pthread.h>
 
 // This is a utility created for use cases such that there are more than
@@ -39,16 +40,16 @@
 // this share lock's share() method has to be called, so that the obj
 // can maintain an accurate client count.
 class LocSharedLock {
-    uint32_t mRef;
+    volatile int32_t mRef;
     pthread_mutex_t mMutex;
     inline ~LocSharedLock() { pthread_mutex_destroy(&mMutex); }
 public:
     // first client to create this LockSharedLock
     inline LocSharedLock() : mRef(1) { pthread_mutex_init(&mMutex, NULL); }
     // following client(s) are to *share()* this lock created by the first client
-    inline LocSharedLock* share() { mRef++; return this; }
+    inline LocSharedLock* share() { android_atomic_inc(&mRef); return this; }
     // whe a client no longer needs this shared lock, drop() shall be called.
-    inline void drop() { if (0 == --mRef) delete this; }
+    inline void drop() { if (1 == android_atomic_dec(&mRef)) delete this; }
     // locking the lock to enter critical section
     inline void lock() { pthread_mutex_lock(&mMutex); }
     // unlocking the lock to leave the critical section