diff --git a/python-multiplatform/src/nativeMain/kotlin/python/multiplatform/reflection/PlatformMutex.native.kt b/python-multiplatform/src/nativeMain/kotlin/python/multiplatform/reflection/PlatformMutex.native.kt
index 96b8fa7c..293e8ccb 100644
--- a/python-multiplatform/src/nativeMain/kotlin/python/multiplatform/reflection/PlatformMutex.native.kt
+++ b/python-multiplatform/src/nativeMain/kotlin/python/multiplatform/reflection/PlatformMutex.native.kt
@@ -1,34 +1,29 @@
 package python.multiplatform.reflection
 
-import kotlinx.cinterop.ExperimentalForeignApi
-import kotlinx.cinterop.alloc
-import kotlinx.cinterop.nativeHeap
-import kotlinx.cinterop.ptr
-import platform.posix.pthread_mutex_init
-import platform.posix.pthread_mutex_lock
-import platform.posix.pthread_mutex_t
-import platform.posix.pthread_mutex_unlock
+import kotlin.concurrent.atomics.AtomicInt
+import kotlin.concurrent.atomics.ExperimentalAtomicApi
 
 /**
- * A default (non-recursive) POSIX mutex, the one primitive iOS and androidNative both provide.
+ * A non-recursive spin lock on one atomic word, for iOS and androidNative alike (#329).
  *
- * The `pthread_mutex_t` lives in [nativeHeap] and is never freed: the only user is the
- * [HandleTable] singleton, which lives for the life of the process, so there is nothing to
- * release it for.
+ * Not a `pthread_mutex_t`: `pthread_mutex_init` is not part of the POSIX surface Kotlin/Native
+ * commonizes across Apple and Linux, so `nativeMain`'s shared metadata compile (the one publishing
+ * runs) could not resolve it even though every per-target compile did. A spin lock needs only the
+ * common atomics. That is enough here because [PlatformMutex]'s contract keeps every critical section
+ * to a few array and counter operations, never a call into Python, user code or a cleaner, so a
+ * waiter spins for a bounded, short time and a free-threaded stop-the-world pause cannot wait on it.
  */
-@OptIn(ExperimentalForeignApi::class)
+@OptIn(ExperimentalAtomicApi::class)
 internal actual class PlatformMutex actual constructor() {
-    private val mutex = nativeHeap.alloc<pthread_mutex_t>()
-
-    init {
-        pthread_mutex_init(mutex.ptr, null)
-    }
+    private val held = AtomicInt(0)
 
     actual fun lock() {
-        pthread_mutex_lock(mutex.ptr)
+        while (!held.compareAndSet(0, 1)) {
+            // Spin: the holder is inside a section of a few array operations.
+        }
     }
 
     actual fun unlock() {
-        pthread_mutex_unlock(mutex.ptr)
+        held.store(0)
     }
 }