diff --git a/drivers/pcmcia/cs.c b/drivers/pcmcia/cs.c
index 182e5ef4ab83..e99ef7b745ae 100644
--- a/drivers/pcmcia/cs.c
+++ b/drivers/pcmcia/cs.c
@@ -608,6 +608,7 @@ static int pccardd(void *__skt)
 		dev_warn(&skt->dev, "PCMCIA: unable to register socket\n");
 		skt->thread = NULL;
 		complete(&skt->thread_done);
+		put_device(&skt->dev);
 		return 0;
 	}
 	ret = pccard_sysfs_add_socket(&skt->dev);