diff --git a/builtin/gc.c b/builtin/gc.c
index 00fff59bdb..7ba9c6f7c9 100644
--- a/builtin/gc.c
+++ b/builtin/gc.c
@@ -798,6 +798,25 @@ static int maintenance_run_tasks(struct maintenance_run_opts *opts)
 {
 	int i, found_selected = 0;
 	int result = 0;
+	struct lock_file lk;
+	struct repository *r = the_repository;
+	char *lock_path = xstrfmt("%s/maintenance", r->objects->odb->path);
+
+	if (hold_lock_file_for_update(&lk, lock_path, LOCK_NO_DEREF) < 0) {
+		/*
+		 * Another maintenance command is running.
+		 *
+		 * If --auto was provided, then it is likely due to a
+		 * recursive process stack. Do not report an error in
+		 * that case.
+		 */
+		if (!opts->auto_flag && !opts->quiet)
+			warning(_("lock file '%s' exists, skipping maintenance"),
+				lock_path);
+		free(lock_path);
+		return 0;
+	}
+	free(lock_path);
 
 	for (i = 0; !found_selected && i < TASK__COUNT; i++)
 		found_selected = tasks[i].selected_order >= 0;
@@ -818,6 +837,7 @@ static int maintenance_run_tasks(struct maintenance_run_opts *opts)
 		}
 	}
 
+	rollback_lock_file(&lk);
 	return result;
 }