diff --git a/net/batman-adv/multicast.c b/net/batman-adv/multicast.c
index a11d3d89f0120..a35f597e8c8bf 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/multicast.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/multicast.c
@@ -1536,7 +1536,7 @@ batadv_mcast_netlink_get_primary(struct netlink_callback *cb,
 
 	if (!ret && primary_if)
 		*primary_if = hard_iface;
-	else
+	else if (hard_iface)
 		batadv_hardif_put(hard_iface);
 
 	return ret;