diff --git a/ap_tools/ap-check.c b/ap_tools/ap-check.c
index 40fedaf9..a60a4be3 100644
--- a/ap_tools/ap-check.c
+++ b/ap_tools/ap-check.c
@@ -798,12 +798,34 @@ static int ap_check_handle_get_attributes(struct ap_check_anchor *anc)
 	FILE *f;
 	int rc;
 
-	rc = ap_get_lock_callout();
-	if (rc) {
-		fprintf(stderr, "Failed to acquire configuration lock %d\n", rc);
-		return -1;
+	/*
+	 * For the get-attributes callout, we are typically called without the
+	 * callout lock held.  However, there is a particular scenario (define
+	 * of an active mdev) where we may or may not be called with the lock
+	 * already held on behalf of mdevctl, depending on the mdevctl version.
+	 * Let's test for lock ownership first and, if already owned by the
+	 * parent (mdevctl) proceed rather than waiting on the file lock.
+	 */
+	rc = ap_try_lock_callout();
+	switch (rc) {
+	case 0:
+		/* Lock acquired */
+		anc->cleanup_lock = true;
+		break;
+	case 1:
+		/* Lock held by parent -- trust the lock will remain held */
+		break;
+	default:
+		/* Lock not acquired or held by parent -- do a normal obtain */
+		rc = ap_get_lock_callout();
+		if (rc) {
+			fprintf(stderr,
+				"Failed to acquire configuration lock %d\n",
+				rc);
+			return -1;
+		}
+		anc->cleanup_lock = true;
 	}
-	anc->cleanup_lock = true;
 
 	/*
 	 * Read the 'matrix' and 'control_domains' attributes to get the
diff --git a/include/lib/ap.h b/include/lib/ap.h
index 2646ad58..58baeeb5 100644
--- a/include/lib/ap.h
+++ b/include/lib/ap.h
@@ -89,6 +89,7 @@ void ap_list_remove_all(struct util_list *list);
 /* Lock Functions */
 int ap_get_lock(void);
 int ap_get_lock_callout(void);
+int ap_try_lock_callout(void);
 int ap_release_lock(void);
 int ap_release_lock_callout(void);
 
diff --git a/libap/ap.c b/libap/ap.c
index 5e7798c7..e683b291 100644
--- a/libap/ap.c
+++ b/libap/ap.c
@@ -722,6 +722,34 @@ int ap_get_lock_callout(void)
 	return util_lockfile_parent_lock(AP_LOCKFILE, AP_LOCK_RETRIES);
 }
 
+/**
+ * Attempt to acquire the ap config lock using the Parent Process ID without
+ * waiting/retries.  Detect if the attempt was rejected because the lock is
+ * already held by the Parent Process ID.
+ *
+ * @retval         0          Lock acquired on behalf of parent process
+ * @retval         1          Lock not obtained, already held by parent
+ * @retval         != 0       Lock was not obtained, other error
+ */
+int ap_try_lock_callout(void)
+{
+	int pid, ppid, rc;
+
+	if (util_lockfile_parent_lock(AP_LOCKFILE, 0)) {
+		/* Lock is already held, let's peek at the owner */
+		ppid = getppid();
+		rc = util_lockfile_peek_owner(AP_LOCKFILE, &pid);
+		if (rc || pid != ppid) {
+			/* We didn't get the lock, unknown or other owner */
+			return 2;
+		}
+		/* Signify that the lock is already held by the caller */
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	return 0;
+}
+
 /**
  * Release the ap config lock
  *