diff --git a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
index 9a863c6a6a33..40b303ed63b7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
@@ -2803,6 +2803,7 @@ static struct ppp *ppp_create_interface(struct net *net, int unit,
 
 out2:
 	mutex_unlock(&pn->all_ppp_mutex);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 	free_netdev(dev);
 out1:
 	*retp = ret;