diff --git a/security/keys/request_key.c b/security/keys/request_key.c
index 0c7aea4dea54..486ef6fa393b 100644
--- a/security/keys/request_key.c
+++ b/security/keys/request_key.c
@@ -414,6 +414,7 @@ static int construct_alloc_key(struct keyring_search_context *ctx,
 
 link_prealloc_failed:
 	mutex_unlock(&user->cons_lock);
+	key_put(key);
 	kleave(" = %d [prelink]", ret);
 	return ret;