diff --git a/drivers/net/xen-netback/netback.c b/drivers/net/xen-netback/netback.c
index 28543d6c8e40..cd49ba949636 100644
--- a/drivers/net/xen-netback/netback.c
+++ b/drivers/net/xen-netback/netback.c
@@ -893,6 +893,7 @@ static void netbk_fatal_tx_err(struct xenvif *vif)
 {
 	netdev_err(vif->dev, "fatal error; disabling device\n");
 	xenvif_carrier_off(vif);
+	xenvif_put(vif);
 }
 
 static int netbk_count_requests(struct xenvif *vif,