diff --git a/net/core/rtnetlink.c b/net/core/rtnetlink.c
index 4568120d8533..fe776c9ddeca 100644
--- a/net/core/rtnetlink.c
+++ b/net/core/rtnetlink.c
@@ -1270,10 +1270,11 @@ replay:
 			err = ops->newlink(net, dev, tb, data);
 		else
 			err = register_netdevice(dev);
-		if (err < 0 && !IS_ERR(dev)) {
+
+		if (err < 0 && !IS_ERR(dev))
 			free_netdev(dev);
+		if (err < 0)
 			goto out;
-		}
 
 		err = rtnl_configure_link(dev, ifm);
 		if (err < 0)