diff --git a/threading/channels.nim b/threading/channels.nim
index 10f3371..f55cce4 100644
--- a/threading/channels.nim
+++ b/threading/channels.nim
@@ -187,8 +187,9 @@ proc channelSend(chan: ChannelRaw, data: pointer, size: int, blocking: static bo
 
   when not blocking:
     if chan.isFull(): return false
-
-  acquire(chan.lock)
+    if not tryAcquire(chan.lock): return false
+  else:
+    acquire(chan.lock)
 
   # check for when another thread was faster to fill
   when blocking:
@@ -221,8 +222,9 @@ proc channelReceive(chan: ChannelRaw, data: pointer, size: int, blocking: static
 
   when not blocking:
     if chan.isEmpty(): return false
-
-  acquire(chan.lock)
+    if not tryAcquire(chan.lock): return false
+  else:
+    acquire(chan.lock)
 
   # check for when another thread was faster to empty
   when blocking: