diff --git a/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c b/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
index 8d842282111b..172f697864ab 100644
--- a/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
+++ b/fs/nfsd/nfs4callback.c
@@ -1156,6 +1156,8 @@ static void nfsd4_process_cb_update(struct nfsd4_callback *cb)
 	err = setup_callback_client(clp, &conn, ses);
 	if (err) {
 		nfsd4_mark_cb_down(clp, err);
+		if (c)
+			svc_xprt_put(c->cn_xprt);
 		return;
 	}
 }