diff --git a/sound/hda/controllers/intel.c b/sound/hda/controllers/intel.c
index 9a5c61f43011..8f592032ac15 100644
--- a/sound/hda/controllers/intel.c
+++ b/sound/hda/controllers/intel.c
@@ -2389,7 +2389,7 @@ static int azx_probe_continue(struct azx *chip)
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_SND_HDA_PATCH_LOADER
 	if (patch[dev] && *patch[dev]) {
-		const struct firmware *fw = NULL;
+		const struct firmware *fw __free(firmware) = NULL;
 
 		dev_info(&pci->dev, "Applying patch firmware '%s'\n",
 			 patch[dev]);
@@ -2398,7 +2398,6 @@ static int azx_probe_continue(struct azx *chip)
 				"Cannot load firmware, continue without patching\n");
 		} else {
 			err = snd_hda_load_patch(&chip->bus, fw->size, fw->data);
-			release_firmware(fw);
 			if (err < 0)
 				goto out_free;
 		}