diff --git a/fs/super.c b/fs/super.c
index 05e443173038..01db6124e409 100644
--- a/fs/super.c
+++ b/fs/super.c
@@ -2369,11 +2369,14 @@ static int thaw_super_locked(struct super_block *sb, enum freeze_holder who,
 		goto out_unlock;
 
 	/*
-	 * All freezers share a single active reference.
-	 * So just unlock in case there are any left.
+	 * All freezers share a single active reference. If other freezers
+	 * remain, drop our hold and report success; the superblock stays
+	 * frozen until the last holder thaws it.
 	 */
-	if (freeze_dec(sb, who))
+	if (freeze_dec(sb, who)) {
+		error = 0;
 		goto out_unlock;
+	}
 
 	if (sb_rdonly(sb)) {
 		sb->s_writers.frozen = SB_UNFROZEN;