diff --git a/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c b/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
index 30e5746085b8f..ac9477189d1cc 100644
--- a/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
+++ b/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ int xfrm_dev_state_add(struct net *net, struct xfrm_state *x,
 
 	err = dev->xfrmdev_ops->xdo_dev_state_add(x);
 	if (err) {
+		xso->dev = NULL;
 		dev_put(dev);
 		return err;
 	}