diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
index fc604439b25a..57f6e8a668cf 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
@@ -765,6 +765,7 @@ static int uvcg_streaming_header_allow_link(struct config_item *src,
 	format_ptr->fmt = target_fmt;
 	list_add_tail(&format_ptr->entry, &src_hdr->formats);
 	++src_hdr->num_fmt;
+	++target_fmt->linked;
 
 out:
 	mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);
@@ -802,6 +803,8 @@ static void uvcg_streaming_header_drop_link(struct config_item *src,
 			break;
 		}
 
+	--target_fmt->linked;
+
 out:
 	mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);
 	mutex_unlock(su_mutex);