diff --git a/fs/smb/client/misc.c b/fs/smb/client/misc.c
index d4db3f91a91f..945194fe7a97 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/misc.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/misc.c
@@ -378,10 +378,11 @@ void cifs_queue_oplock_break(struct cifsFileInfo *cfile)
 	 * open_file_lock to enforce the validity of it for the oplock
 	 * break handler. The matching put is done at the end of the
 	 * handler.
+	 *
+	 * Only take a reference if the work is actually queued.
 	 */
-	cifsFileInfo_get(cfile);
-
-	queue_work(cifsoplockd_wq, &cfile->oplock_break);
+	if (queue_work(cifsoplockd_wq, &cfile->oplock_break))
+		cifsFileInfo_get(cfile);
 }
 
 void cifs_done_oplock_break(struct cifsInodeInfo *cinode)