diff --git a/fs/jffs2/acl.c b/fs/jffs2/acl.c
index 993ddfce0318..4c80404a9aba 100644
--- a/fs/jffs2/acl.c
+++ b/fs/jffs2/acl.c
@@ -345,8 +345,10 @@ int jffs2_init_acl_pre(struct inode *dir_i, struct inode *inode, int *i_mode)
 		if (!clone)
 			return -ENOMEM;
 		rc = posix_acl_create_masq(clone, (mode_t *)i_mode);
-		if (rc < 0)
+		if (rc < 0) {
+			posix_acl_release(clone);
 			return rc;
+		}
 		if (rc > 0)
 			jffs2_iset_acl(inode, &f->i_acl_access, clone);