diff --git a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emupcm.c b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emupcm.c
index 9023f3444d20..b8749e0131ad 100644
--- a/sound/pci/emu10k1/emupcm.c
+++ b/sound/pci/emu10k1/emupcm.c
@@ -1181,19 +1181,17 @@ static int snd_emu10k1_playback_open(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 	runtime->private_free = snd_emu10k1_pcm_free_substream;
 	runtime->hw = snd_emu10k1_playback;
 	err = snd_emu10k1_playback_set_constraints(runtime);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		kfree(epcm);
-		return err;
-	}
+	if (err < 0)
+		goto free_epcm;
+
 	if (emu->card_capabilities->emu_model)
 		sample_rate = emu->emu1010.word_clock;
 	else
 		sample_rate = 48000;
 	err = snd_pcm_hw_rule_noresample(runtime, sample_rate);
-	if (err < 0) {
-		kfree(epcm);
-		return err;
-	}
+	if (err < 0)
+		goto free_epcm;
+
 	mix = &emu->pcm_mixer[substream->number];
 	for (i = 0; i < 8; i++)
 		mix->send_routing[0][i] = mix->send_routing[1][i] = mix->send_routing[2][i] = i;
@@ -1204,6 +1202,10 @@ static int snd_emu10k1_playback_open(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)
 	mix->epcm = epcm;
 	snd_emu10k1_pcm_mixer_notify(emu, substream->number, 1);
 	return 0;
+
+free_epcm:
+	kfree(epcm);
+	return err;
 }
 
 static int snd_emu10k1_playback_close(struct snd_pcm_substream *substream)