diff --git a/net/tipc/server.c b/net/tipc/server.c
index acaef80fb88cf..2710101ba4c10 100644
--- a/net/tipc/server.c
+++ b/net/tipc/server.c
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ bool tipc_topsrv_kern_subscr(struct net *net, u32 port, u32 type,
 	s = con->server;
 	scbr = s->tipc_conn_new(*conid);
 	if (!scbr) {
-		tipc_close_conn(con);
+		conn_put(con);
 		return false;
 	}