diff --git a/net/9p/client.c b/net/9p/client.c
index 69d3efd340c0..ef64546c6d52 100644
--- a/net/9p/client.c
+++ b/net/9p/client.c
@@ -1094,7 +1094,8 @@ struct p9_fid *p9_client_walk(struct p9_fid *oldfid, uint16_t nwname,
 
 clunk_fid:
 	kfree(wqids);
-	p9_fid_put(fid);
+	if (fid != oldfid)
+		p9_fid_put(fid);
 	fid = NULL;
 
 error: