diff --git a/core/kernel_init.c b/core/kernel_init.c
index d2d5a6ecb..a57f119ac 100644
--- a/core/kernel_init.c
+++ b/core/kernel_init.c
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 #include "lpm.h"
 #include "thread.h"
 #include "hwtimer.h"
+#include "irq.h"
 
 #define ENABLE_DEBUG (0)
 #include "debug.h"
@@ -80,7 +81,7 @@ static char idle_stack[KERNEL_CONF_STACKSIZE_IDLE];
 
 void kernel_init(void)
 {
-    dINT();
+    (void) disableIRQ();
     printf("kernel_init(): This is RIOT! (Version: %s)\n", RIOT_VERSION);
 
     hwtimer_init();
diff --git a/core/sched.c b/core/sched.c
index dff300ffb..9875c83bf 100644
--- a/core/sched.c
+++ b/core/sched.c
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ NORETURN void sched_task_exit(void)
 {
     DEBUG("sched_task_exit: ending thread %" PRIkernel_pid "...\n", sched_active_thread->pid);
 
-    dINT();
+    (void) disableIRQ();
     sched_threads[sched_active_pid] = NULL;
     sched_num_threads--;