diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
index 5d067c1b987f..49427f44dc5b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
@@ -613,6 +613,7 @@ static int slcan_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();