diff --git a/fs/smb/client/connect.c b/fs/smb/client/connect.c
index fae4850a4e51..2e23a4e04798 100644
--- a/fs/smb/client/connect.c
+++ b/fs/smb/client/connect.c
@@ -300,6 +300,7 @@ cifs_abort_connection(struct TCP_Server_Info *server)
 			 server->ssocket->flags);
 		sock_release(server->ssocket);
 		server->ssocket = NULL;
+		put_net(cifs_net_ns(server));
 	}
 	server->sequence_number = 0;
 	server->session_estab = false;
@@ -3265,8 +3266,12 @@ generic_ip_connect(struct TCP_Server_Info *server)
 		/*
 		 * Grab netns reference for the socket.
 		 *
-		 * It'll be released here, on error, or in clean_demultiplex_info() upon server
-		 * teardown.
+		 * This reference will be released in several situations:
+		 * - In the failure path before the cifsd thread is started.
+		 * - In the all place where server->socket is released, it is
+		 *   also set to NULL.
+		 * - Ultimately in clean_demultiplex_info(), during the final
+		 *   teardown.
 		 */
 		get_net(net);
 
@@ -3282,10 +3287,8 @@ generic_ip_connect(struct TCP_Server_Info *server)
 	}
 
 	rc = bind_socket(server);
-	if (rc < 0) {
-		put_net(cifs_net_ns(server));
+	if (rc < 0)
 		return rc;
-	}
 
 	/*
 	 * Eventually check for other socket options to change from
@@ -3331,9 +3334,6 @@ generic_ip_connect(struct TCP_Server_Info *server)
 	if (sport == htons(RFC1001_PORT))
 		rc = ip_rfc1001_connect(server);
 
-	if (rc < 0)
-		put_net(cifs_net_ns(server));
-
 	return rc;
 }