diff --git a/drivers/slimbus/core.c b/drivers/slimbus/core.c
index 9f85c4280171..b4ab9a5d44b3 100644
--- a/drivers/slimbus/core.c
+++ b/drivers/slimbus/core.c
@@ -379,6 +379,8 @@ struct slim_device *slim_get_device(struct slim_controller *ctrl,
 		sbdev = slim_alloc_device(ctrl, e_addr, NULL);
 		if (!sbdev)
 			return ERR_PTR(-ENOMEM);
+
+		get_device(&sbdev->dev);
 	}
 
 	return sbdev;
@@ -505,6 +507,7 @@ int slim_device_report_present(struct slim_controller *ctrl,
 		ret = slim_device_alloc_laddr(sbdev, true);
 	}
 
+	put_device(&sbdev->dev);
 out_put_rpm:
 	pm_runtime_mark_last_busy(ctrl->dev);
 	pm_runtime_put_autosuspend(ctrl->dev);