A utility lighter comprises a housing (12), a nozzle (14) having a nozzle tip, a lighter fluid reservoir (20), a conduit (23), an igniter assembly (24), a valve actuator (27), and a locking device (60). The conduit delivers the lighter fluid from the reservoir to the nozzle. The igniter assembly generates a spark near the nozzle tip to ignite the lighter fluid, and has a piezoelectric component. The valve actuator is associated with the lighter fluid for selectively releasing the lighter fluid from the reservoir, and the igniter assembly. A compressor (26) is connected to the valve actuator for compressing the piezoelectric component. The locking device diminishes the undesirable movement of the valve actuator.