diff --git a/net/tipc/node.c b/net/tipc/node.c
index 5e000fde8067..a9c5b6594889 100644
--- a/net/tipc/node.c
+++ b/net/tipc/node.c
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ struct tipc_node *tipc_node_create(struct net *net, u32 addr, u8 *peer_id,
 				 n->capabilities, &n->bc_entry.inputq1,
 				 &n->bc_entry.namedq, snd_l, &n->bc_entry.link)) {
 		pr_warn("Broadcast rcv link creation failed, no memory\n");
-		kfree(n);
+		tipc_node_put(n);
 		n = NULL;
 		goto exit;
 	}