diff --git a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
index e8a5936289c5..d61da9ece3ba 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
@@ -2816,6 +2816,7 @@ 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;