diff --git a/sound/soc/soc-ac97.c b/sound/soc/soc-ac97.c
index 5f81e3606655..5c573c8dc249 100644
--- a/sound/soc/soc-ac97.c
+++ b/sound/soc/soc-ac97.c
@@ -241,10 +241,12 @@ struct snd_ac97 *snd_soc_new_ac97_component(struct snd_soc_component *component,
 
 	ret = snd_soc_ac97_init_gpio(ac97, component);
 	if (ret)
-		goto err_put_device;
+		goto err_del_device;
 
 	return ac97;
 
+err_del_device:
+	device_del(&ac97->dev);
 err_put_device:
 	put_device(&ac97->dev);
 	return ERR_PTR(ret);