diff --git a/drivers/media/usb/cx231xx/cx231xx-audio.c b/drivers/media/usb/cx231xx/cx231xx-audio.c
index de42db6f6ad1..9c71b32552df 100644
--- a/drivers/media/usb/cx231xx/cx231xx-audio.c
+++ b/drivers/media/usb/cx231xx/cx231xx-audio.c
@@ -670,7 +670,7 @@ static int cx231xx_audio_fini(struct cx231xx *dev)
 	}
 
 	if (dev->adev.sndcard) {
-		snd_card_free(dev->adev.sndcard);
+		snd_card_free_when_closed(dev->adev.sndcard);
 		kfree(dev->adev.alt_max_pkt_size);
 		dev->adev.sndcard = NULL;
 	}