diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_printer.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_printer.c
index e4f7828ae75d..837f753d0cae 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_printer.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_printer.c
@@ -363,12 +363,11 @@ printer_open(struct inode *inode, struct file *fd)
 		ret = 0;
 		/* Change the printer status to show that it's on-line. */
 		dev->printer_status |= PRINTER_SELECTED;
+		kref_get(&dev->kref);
 	}
 
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&dev->lock, flags);
 
-	kref_get(&dev->kref);
-
 	return ret;
 }