diff --git a/net/6lowpan/nhc.c b/net/6lowpan/nhc.c
index 7b374595328d..a4dde85664f2 100644
--- a/net/6lowpan/nhc.c
+++ b/net/6lowpan/nhc.c
@@ -117,9 +117,9 @@ int lowpan_nhc_do_uncompression(struct sk_buff *skb,
 				return ret;
 			}
 		} else {
-			spin_unlock_bh(&lowpan_nhc_lock);
 			netdev_warn(dev, "received nhc id for %s which is not implemented.\n",
 				    nhc->name);
+			spin_unlock_bh(&lowpan_nhc_lock);
 			return -ENOTSUPP;
 		}
 	} else {