diff --git a/drivers/net/gtp.c b/drivers/net/gtp.c
index 99836b773e5c..15b5d845fc3b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/gtp.c
+++ b/drivers/net/gtp.c
@@ -2050,7 +2050,10 @@ static int gtp_genl_new_pdp(struct sk_buff *skb, struct genl_info *info)
 
 	rtnl_lock();
 
+	/* the rtnl lock keeps the device alive once found */
+	rcu_read_lock();
 	gtp = gtp_find_dev(sock_net(skb->sk), info->attrs);
+	rcu_read_unlock();
 	if (!gtp) {
 		err = -ENODEV;
 		goto out_unlock;