diff --git a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
index b07f367abd91..d7882b548b79 100644
--- a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
+++ b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
@@ -867,7 +867,10 @@ err_free_chan:
 	tty->disc_data = NULL;
 	clear_bit(SLF_INUSE, &sl->flags);
 	sl_free_netdev(sl->dev);
+	/* do not call free_netdev before rtnl_unlock */
+	rtnl_unlock();
 	free_netdev(sl->dev);
+	return err;
 
 err_exit:
 	rtnl_unlock();