diff --git a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
index cac64b96d545..4d479e3c817d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
+++ b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
@@ -855,6 +855,7 @@ static int slip_open(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	sl->tty = NULL;
 	tty->disc_data = NULL;
 	clear_bit(SLF_INUSE, &sl->flags);
+	free_netdev(sl->dev);
 
 err_exit:
 	rtnl_unlock();