diff --git a/fs/smb/server/vfs.c b/fs/smb/server/vfs.c
index 5360c6999bb3..4ee72eda9bc0 100644
--- a/fs/smb/server/vfs.c
+++ b/fs/smb/server/vfs.c
@@ -62,6 +62,10 @@ static int ksmbd_vfs_path_lookup(struct ksmbd_share_config *share_conf,
 	struct dentry *d;
 
 	if (pathname[0] == '\0') {
+		/* The share root must never be removed. */
+		if (for_remove)
+			return -EINVAL;
+
 		pathname = share_conf->path;
 		root_share_path = NULL;
 	} else {