Here, we show that SMC5 dysfunction in avian DT40 B cells causes mitotic delay and hypersensitivity toward DNA intra‐ and inter‐strand crosslinkers (ICLs), with smc5 mutants being epistatic to FANCC and FANCM mutations affecting the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway. The gene discussed is SMC5; the disease is Friedreich ataxia.