diff --git a/net/unix/af_unix.c b/net/unix/af_unix.c
index 73c61a010b016..f9d196439b493 100644
--- a/net/unix/af_unix.c
+++ b/net/unix/af_unix.c
@@ -2826,7 +2826,7 @@ static int unix_stream_read_generic(struct unix_stream_read_state *state,
 	} while (size);
 
 	mutex_unlock(&u->iolock);
-	if (state->msg)
+	if (state->msg && check_creds)
 		scm_recv(sock, state->msg, &scm, flags);
 	else
 		scm_destroy(&scm);