diff --git a/net/dsa/tag_8021q.c b/net/dsa/tag_8021q.c
index 89371b16416e..6a33f35a0f74 100644
--- a/net/dsa/tag_8021q.c
+++ b/net/dsa/tag_8021q.c
@@ -180,7 +180,7 @@ static int dsa_port_do_tag_8021q_vlan_del(struct dsa_port *dp, u16 vid)
 
 	err = ds->ops->tag_8021q_vlan_del(ds, port, vid);
 	if (err) {
-		refcount_inc(&v->refcount);
+		refcount_set(&v->refcount, 1);
 		return err;
 	}