diff --git a/sys/dev/vt/vt_core.c b/sys/dev/vt/vt_core.c
--- a/sys/dev/vt/vt_core.c
+++ b/sys/dev/vt/vt_core.c
@@ -573,7 +573,7 @@
 
 	inside_vt_window_switch = true;
 
-	if (kdb_active) {
+	if (kdb_active || KERNEL_PANICKED()) {
 		/*
 		 * When grabbing the console for the debugger, avoid
 		 * locks as that can result in deadlock.  While this