diff --git a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
index 3f709d0aa..9c245d214 100644
--- a/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
+++ b/ipykernel/kernelbase.py
@@ -567,11 +567,12 @@ def start(self):
         """register dispatchers for streams"""
         self.io_loop = ioloop.IOLoop.current()
 
+        # Create the lock before the control_stream, so the lock is guaranteed to be available.
+        self._control_lock = asyncio.Lock()
+
         if self.control_stream:
             self.control_stream.on_recv(self.dispatch_control, copy=False)
 
-        self._control_lock = asyncio.Lock()
-
         if self.shell_stream:
             if self.shell_channel_thread:
                 self.shell_channel_thread.manager.set_on_recv_callback(self.shell_main)