diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/desktop/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh b/configs/default_hooks/desktop/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
index d2c08c0..3e30697 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/desktop/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/desktop/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 # SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
 # Copyright 2022 Sxmo Contributors
 
-if [ -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
-	echo not_screenoff | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-fi
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock not_screenoff infinite
 
 # Go to locker after 5 minutes of inactivity
 if [ -e "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/sxmo/sxmo.noidle" ]; then
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh b/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
index 1110804..6fdc55f 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
@@ -6,8 +6,6 @@
 # shellcheck source=scripts/core/sxmo_common.sh
 . sxmo_common.sh
 
-if [ -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
-	echo "stay_awake ${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-fi
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock stay_awake "${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000"
 
 # Add here whatever you want to do
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh b/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
index 280071c..a6618ad 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/one_button_e_reader/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
@@ -11,9 +11,7 @@
 sxmo_log "transitioning to stage unlock"
 printf unlock > "$SXMO_STATE"
 
-if [ -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
-	echo "stay_awake ${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-fi
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock stay_awake "${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000"
 
 sxmo_hook_statusbar.sh state_change &
 
@@ -27,6 +25,6 @@ sxmo_daemons.sh start periodic_state_mutex_check sxmo_run_periodically.sh 10 sxm
 # suspend after if no activity after 120s
 sxmo_daemons.sh start idle_locker sxmo_idle.sh -w \
 	timeout "1" '' \
-	resume "echo \"stay_awake ${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000\" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null"
+	resume "sxmo_wakelock.sh lock stay_awake \"${SXMO_UNLOCK_IDLE_TIME:-120}000000000\""
 
 wait
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_check_state_mutexes.sh b/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_check_state_mutexes.sh
index e96396f..d812def 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_check_state_mutexes.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_check_state_mutexes.sh
@@ -9,39 +9,31 @@
 # shellcheck source=scripts/core/sxmo_common.sh
 . sxmo_common.sh
 
-lock_suspend_mutex() {
-	echo "$1" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-	sxmo_debug "lock \"$1\""
-}
-
-free_suspend_mutex() {
-	echo "$1" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null 2>&1
-	sxmo_debug "free \"$1\""
-}
-
 cleanup_main_mutex() {
-	free_suspend_mutex "checking_mutexes"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock checking_mutexes
 	exit 0
 }
 
 exec 3<> "${XDG_RUNTIME_DIR:-$HOME}/sxmo.checkstatemutexes.lock"
 flock -x 3
 
-lock_suspend_mutex "checking_mutexes"
+DEFAULT_DURATION=30000000000 # 30s to be sure to not lock indefinitely
+
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock checking_mutexes "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 trap 'cleanup_main_mutex' TERM INT EXIT
 
 # ongoing_call
 if pgrep -f sxmo_modemcall.sh > /dev/null; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "ongoing_call"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock ongoing_call "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "ongoing_call"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock ongoing_call
 fi
 
 # hotspot active
 if nmcli -t c show --active | grep ^Hotspot; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "hotspot_active"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock hotspot_active "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "hotspot_active"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock hotspot_active
 fi
 
 ssh_connected() {
@@ -54,44 +46,44 @@ ssh_connected() {
 
 # active_ssh
 if ssh_connected; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "ssh_connected"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock ssh_connected "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "ssh_connected"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock ssh_connected
 fi
 
 # active_mosh
 if command -v mosh-server > /dev/null && pgrep -f mosh-server > /dev/null; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "mosh_listening"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock mosh_listening "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "mosh_listening"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock mosh_listening
 fi
 
 # playing_mpc
 if command -v mpc > /dev/null && mpc status 2>/dev/null | grep -q '\[playing\]'; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "mpd_playing"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock mpd_playing "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "mpd_playing"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock mpd_playing
 fi
 
 # mpris compatible media player
 if command -v playerctl > /dev/null; then
 	if test "$(playerctl status 2>/dev/null)" = "Playing"; then
-		lock_suspend_mutex "mpris_playing"
+		sxmo_wakelock.sh lock mpris_playing "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 	else
-		free_suspend_mutex "mpris_playing"
+		sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock mpris_playing
 	fi
 fi
 
 # photos_processing
 if pgrep -f postprocess > /dev/null; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "camera_postprocessing"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock camera_postprocessing "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "camera_postprocessing"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock camera_postprocessing
 fi
 
 # auto_suspend
 if [ -e "$XDG_CACHE_HOME/sxmo/sxmo.nosuspend" ]; then
-	lock_suspend_mutex "manually_disabled"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock manually_disabled "$DEFAULT_DURATION"
 else
-	free_suspend_mutex "manually_disabled"
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock manually_disabled
 fi
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_contextmenu.sh b/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_contextmenu.sh
index 4471cf7..9743176 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_contextmenu.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/sxmo_hook_contextmenu.sh
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ case "$WMCLASS" in
 			$icon_sfl Migrate configuration      ^ 0 ^ sxmo_terminal.sh sxmo_migrate.sh
 			$icon_cfg Edit configuration         ^ 0 ^ sxmo_terminal.sh $EDITOR $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/sxmo/$(test "$SXMO_WM" = sway && printf sway || printf xinit)
 			$(command -v pmos-tweaks >/dev/null && echo "$icon_cfg PostmarketOS Tweaks	     ^ 0 ^ GDK_SCALE=1 pmos-tweaks")
-			$icon_cfg Suspend Blockers           ^ 0 ^ sxmo_terminal.sh sxmo_mutex_debug.sh
+			$icon_cfg Suspend Blockers           ^ 0 ^ sxmo_terminal.sh sxmo_wakelock.sh debug
 			$icon_inf Version                    ^ 0 ^ sxmo_terminal.sh sxmo_version.sh --block
 		"
 		WINNAME=Config
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_lock.sh b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_lock.sh
index e52c07e..8ec4a2a 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_lock.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_lock.sh
@@ -12,9 +12,7 @@ flock -x 3
 sxmo_log "transitioning to stage lock"
 printf lock > "$SXMO_STATE"
 
-if [ -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
-	echo not_screenoff | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-fi
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock not_screenoff infinite
 
 # This hook is called when the system reaches a locked state
 
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
index 5eacb3f..5c98e65 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
@@ -6,25 +6,10 @@
 # shellcheck source=scripts/core/sxmo_common.sh
 . sxmo_common.sh
 
-UNSUSPENDREASON="$1"
-
-#The UNSUSPENDREASON can be "usb power", "modem", "rtc" (real-time clock
-#periodic wakeup) or "button". You will likely want to check against this and
-#decide what to do
-
-# stay awake if modem has crashed for 30s to give modem time to recover
-modemloop() {
-	echo "modem_crashed" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-	sleep 30s
-	echo "modem_crashed" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
-}
-
-if [ "$UNSUSPENDREASON" = "modem" ]; then
-	MMCLI="$(mmcli -m any -J 2>/dev/null)"
-	if [ -z "$MMCLI" ]; then
-		sxmo_notify_user.sh --urgency=critical "Modem crashed! 30s recovery."
-		modemloop &
-	fi
+MMCLI="$(mmcli -m any -J 2>/dev/null)"
+if [ -z "$MMCLI" ]; then
+	sxmo_notify_user.sh --urgency=critical "Modem crashed! 30s recovery."
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock modem_crashed 30000000000
 fi
 
 # see the comments in sxmo_hook_lock.sh
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_screenoff.sh b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_screenoff.sh
index 8d0a32b..5a0fbfc 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_screenoff.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_screenoff.sh
@@ -45,5 +45,5 @@ sxmo_daemons.sh start idle_locker sxmo_idle.sh -w \
 wait
 
 if [ -f /sys/power/wake_unlock ]; then
-	echo not_screenoff | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock not_screenoff
 fi
diff --git a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
index b07e167..3486b50 100755
--- a/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
+++ b/configs/default_hooks/three_button_touchscreen/sxmo_hook_unlock.sh
@@ -14,9 +14,7 @@ flock -x 3
 sxmo_log "transitioning to stage unlock"
 printf unlock > "$SXMO_STATE"
 
-if [ -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
-	echo not_screenoff | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-fi
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock not_screenoff infinite
 
 sxmo_led.sh blink red green &
 sxmo_hook_statusbar.sh state_change &
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_autosuspend.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_autosuspend.sh
index ebc7e39..c7333e3 100755
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_autosuspend.sh
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_autosuspend.sh
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ autosuspend() {
 		mnc="$(sxmo_hook_mnc.sh)"
 		if [ -n "$mnc" ] && [ "$mnc" -gt 0 ] && [ "$mnc" -lt "$YEARS8_TO_SEC" ]; then
 			if [ "$mnc" -le 15 ]; then # cronjob imminent
-				echo "waiting_cronjob" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+				sxmo_wakelock.sh lock waiting_cronjob infinite
 				suspend_time=$((mnc + 1)) # to arm the following one
 			else
 				suspend_time=$((mnc - 10))
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ autosuspend() {
 
 wokeup() {
 	# 10s basic hold
-	echo "woke_up 10000000000" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock woke_up 10000000000
 
 	sxmo_hook_postwake.sh
 }
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_led.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_led.sh
index 58d940c..cad0088 100755
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_led.sh
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_led.sh
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@
 . sxmo_common.sh
 
 free_mutex() {
-	echo "playing_with_leds" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock playing_with_leds
 	exit
 }
 
 ensure_mutex() {
-	echo "playing_with_leds" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh lock playing_with_leds 2000000000
 	trap 'free_mutex' TERM INT
 }
 
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_mutex_debug.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_mutex_debug.sh
deleted file mode 100644
index 18e729c..0000000
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_mutex_debug.sh
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-#! /bin/sh
-# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
-# Copyright 2022 Sxmo Contributors
-
-watch 'cat /sys/power/wake_lock | tr " " "\n"'
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_proximitylock.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_proximitylock.sh
index b463a5d..f8e779c 100755
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_proximitylock.sh
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_proximitylock.sh
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ finish() {
 	# (see static const int stk3310_ps_max[4])
 	printf 6553 > "$prox_path/events/in_proximity_thresh_rising_value"
 
-	echo "proximity_lock_running" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock proximity_lock_running
 	sxmo_daemons.sh start state_change_bar sxmo_hook_statusbar.sh state_change
 
 	exec sxmo_hook_"$INITIALSTATE".sh
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ trap 'finish' TERM INT
 
 sxmo_daemons.sh stop idle_locker
 
-echo "proximity_lock_running" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock proximity_lock_running infinite
 sxmo_daemons.sh start state_change_bar sxmo_hook_statusbar.sh state_change
 
 # find the device
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_rtcwake.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_rtcwake.sh
index a7e0c6f..ec3620b 100755
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_rtcwake.sh
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_rtcwake.sh
@@ -8,11 +8,11 @@
 . sxmo_common.sh
 
 # We can have multiple cronjobs at the same time
-echo "executing_cronjob" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
-echo "waiting_cronjob" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock executing_cronjob infinite
+sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock waiting_cronjob
 
 finish() {
-	echo "executing_cronjob" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+	sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock executing_cronjob
 	exit 0
 }
 
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_upgrade.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_upgrade.sh
index 8b21688..714d23f 100755
--- a/scripts/core/sxmo_upgrade.sh
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_upgrade.sh
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ update_nixos() {
 	echo "Upgrade complete - reboot for all changes to take effect"
 }
 
-echo "upgrading" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock upgrading infinite
 
 case "$OS" in
 	alpine|postmarketos) update_apk;;
@@ -42,4 +42,4 @@ case "$OS" in
 	nixos) update_nixos;;
 esac
 
-echo "upgrading" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock upgrading
diff --git a/scripts/core/sxmo_wakelock.sh b/scripts/core/sxmo_wakelock.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8b019b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/core/sxmo_wakelock.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-only
+# Copyright 2022 Sxmo Contributors
+
+# shellcheck source=scripts/core/sxmo_common.sh
+. sxmo_common.sh
+
+usage() {
+		cat >&2 <<EOF
+Usage: $(basename "$0") ACTION
+	lock <lock-name> <nanosec|infinite>
+	unlock <lock-name>
+EOF
+}
+
+lock() {
+	if [ "$#" -ne 2 ]; then
+		usage
+		exit 1
+	fi
+
+	if [ ! -f /sys/power/wake_lock ]; then
+		exit # we swallow when the system doesn't support it
+	fi
+
+	if [ "$2" = "infinite" ]; then
+		sxmo_debug "lock $1 infinite"
+		echo "$1" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+		exit
+	fi
+
+	if [ "$2" -ne "$2" ]; then
+		echo "$2 isn't a duration" >&2
+		exit 1
+	fi
+
+	sxmo_debug "lock $1 $2"
+	echo "$1 $2" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+}
+
+unlock() {
+	if [ "$#" -ne 1 ]; then
+		usage
+		exit 1
+	fi
+
+	if [ ! -f /sys/power/wake_unlock ]; then
+		exit # we swallow when the system doesn't support it
+	fi
+
+	sxmo_debug "unlock $1"
+	echo "$1" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null 2>&1
+}
+
+debug() {
+	tr " " "\n" < /sys/power/wake_lock | grep .
+	tail -f "$XDG_STATE_HOME"/sxmo.log | grep "${0##*/}"
+}
+
+cmd="$1"
+shift
+case "$cmd" in
+	lock) lock "$@";;
+	unlock) unlock "$@";;
+	debug) debug "$@";;
+	*) usage; exit 1;;
+esac
diff --git a/scripts/modem/sxmo_mms.sh b/scripts/modem/sxmo_mms.sh
index c95bf32..2f63cc6 100755
--- a/scripts/modem/sxmo_mms.sh
+++ b/scripts/modem/sxmo_mms.sh
@@ -286,6 +286,6 @@ processmms() {
 	fi
 }
 
-echo "mms_processing" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock mms_processing 30000000000
 "$@"
-echo "mms_processing" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock mms_processing 30000000000
diff --git a/scripts/modem/sxmo_modem.sh b/scripts/modem/sxmo_modem.sh
index 016ca30..1cf887a 100755
--- a/scripts/modem/sxmo_modem.sh
+++ b/scripts/modem/sxmo_modem.sh
@@ -260,6 +260,6 @@ checkfornewtexts() {
 	done
 }
 
-echo "modem_used" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_lock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh lock modem_used 30000000000
 "$@"
-echo "modem_used" | doas tee -a /sys/power/wake_unlock > /dev/null
+sxmo_wakelock.sh unlock modem_used