diff --git a/security/keys/gc.c b/security/keys/gc.c
index 9609a7f0faea..c7952375ac53 100644
--- a/security/keys/gc.c
+++ b/security/keys/gc.c
@@ -148,12 +148,12 @@ static noinline void key_gc_unused_keys(struct list_head *keys)
 		if (test_bit(KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED, &key->flags))
 			atomic_dec(&key->user->nikeys);
 
-		key_user_put(key->user);
-
 		/* now throw away the key memory */
 		if (key->type->destroy)
 			key->type->destroy(key);
 
+		key_user_put(key->user);
+
 		kfree(key->description);
 
 #ifdef KEY_DEBUGGING