diff --git a/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c b/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
index 986f707e7d973a6a545a73951ae1c8163b4574ca..b0247930292a9a39f65a7367813ec53e7b84ee13 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
@@ -728,6 +728,7 @@ static void batadv_bla_add_claim(struct batadv_priv *bat_priv,
 
 		if (unlikely(hash_added != 0)) {
 			/* only local changes happened. */
+			batadv_backbone_gw_put(backbone_gw);
 			kfree(claim);
 			return;
 		}