diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
index 2f5c287eac95..a3664281a33f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
@@ -625,7 +625,10 @@ static int slcan_open(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	tty->disc_data = NULL;
 	clear_bit(SLF_INUSE, &sl->flags);
 	slc_free_netdev(sl->dev);
+	/* do not call free_netdev before rtnl_unlock */
+	rtnl_unlock();
 	free_netdev(sl->dev);
+	return err;
 
 err_exit:
 	rtnl_unlock();