diff --git a/drivers/tty/tty_io.c b/drivers/tty/tty_io.c
index 4f1fc81112e6..54b3cc477852 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/tty_io.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/tty_io.c
@@ -1872,6 +1872,7 @@ got_driver:
 		if (IS_ERR(tty)) {
 			tty_unlock();
 			mutex_unlock(&tty_mutex);
+			tty_driver_kref_put(driver);
 			return PTR_ERR(tty);
 		}
 	}