diff --git a/fs/nfsd/vfs.c b/fs/nfsd/vfs.c
index 0dcfaab95021..f73012bc742f 100644
--- a/fs/nfsd/vfs.c
+++ b/fs/nfsd/vfs.c
@@ -137,8 +137,10 @@ nfsd_cross_mnt(struct svc_rqst *rqstp, struct dentry **dpp,
 		follow_flags = LOOKUP_AUTOMOUNT;
 
 	err = follow_down(&path, follow_flags);
-	if (err < 0)
+	if (err < 0) {
+		path_put(&path);
 		goto out;
+	}
 	if (path.mnt == exp->ex_path.mnt && path.dentry == dentry &&
 	    nfsd_mountpoint(dentry, exp) == 2) {
 		/* This is only a mountpoint in some other namespace */