diff --git a/std/mutex.zig b/std/mutex.zig
index 125a76347..c0b5d3b00 100644
--- a/std/mutex.zig
+++ b/std/mutex.zig
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ const MutexWindows = struct {
 
     pub fn acquire(self: *Mutex) Held {
         self.initOsData();
-        windows.EnterCriticalSection(&self.lock);
+        while (windows.TryEnterCriticalSection(&self.lock) == 0) {}
         return Held { .mutex = self };
     }
 };
diff --git a/std/os/windows/kernel32.zig b/std/os/windows/kernel32.zig
index 1691b6523..141039a15 100644
--- a/std/os/windows/kernel32.zig
+++ b/std/os/windows/kernel32.zig
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ pub const FOREGROUND_RED = 4;
 pub const FOREGROUND_INTENSITY = 8;
 
 pub extern "kernel32" stdcallcc fn InitializeCriticalSection(lpCriticalSection: *?RTL_CRITICAL_SECTION) void;
-pub extern "kernel32" stdcallcc fn EnterCriticalSection(lpCriticalSection: *?RTL_CRITICAL_SECTION) void; 
+pub extern "kernel32" stdcallcc fn TryEnterCriticalSection(lpCriticalSection: *?RTL_CRITICAL_SECTION) BOOL; 
 pub extern "kernel32" stdcallcc fn LeaveCriticalSection(lpCriticalSection: *?RTL_CRITICAL_SECTION) void; 
 pub extern "kernel32" stdcallcc fn DeleteCriticalSection(lpCriticalSection: *?RTL_CRITICAL_SECTION) void;