diff --git a/kernel/events/core.c b/kernel/events/core.c
index 00be48acdc36..dc568ca295bd 100644
--- a/kernel/events/core.c
+++ b/kernel/events/core.c
@@ -2637,7 +2637,7 @@ static int group_can_go_on(struct perf_event *event,
 	 * If this group is exclusive and there are already
 	 * events on the CPU, it can't go on.
 	 */
-	if (event->attr.exclusive && cpuctx->active_oncpu)
+	if (event->attr.exclusive && !list_empty(get_event_list(event)))
 		return 0;
 	/*
 	 * Otherwise, try to add it if all previous groups were able