diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/mm/protection_keys.c b/tools/testing/selftests/mm/protection_keys.c
index f822ae31af22..374a308174d2 100644
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/mm/protection_keys.c
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/mm/protection_keys.c
@@ -1745,9 +1745,12 @@ void pkey_setup_shadow(void)
 	shadow_pkey_reg = __read_pkey_reg();
 }
 
+pid_t parent_pid;
+
 void restore_settings_atexit(void)
 {
-	cat_into_file(buf, "/proc/sys/vm/nr_hugepages");
+	if (parent_pid == getpid())
+		cat_into_file(buf, "/proc/sys/vm/nr_hugepages");
 }
 
 void save_settings(void)
@@ -1773,6 +1776,7 @@ void save_settings(void)
 		exit(__LINE__);
 	}
 
+	parent_pid = getpid();
 	atexit(restore_settings_atexit);
 	close(fd);
 }