diff --git a/samples/trace_printk/trace-printk.c b/samples/trace_printk/trace-printk.c
index 7affc3b50b61..cfc159580263 100644
--- a/samples/trace_printk/trace-printk.c
+++ b/samples/trace_printk/trace-printk.c
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ static int __init trace_printk_init(void)
 
 	/* Kick off printing in irq context */
 	irq_work_queue(&irqwork);
+	irq_work_sync(&irqwork);
 
 	trace_printk("This is a %s that will use trace_bprintk()\n",
 		     "static string");