diff --git a/drivers/hsi/clients/ssi_protocol.c b/drivers/hsi/clients/ssi_protocol.c
index 21f11a5b965b..49ffd808d17f 100644
--- a/drivers/hsi/clients/ssi_protocol.c
+++ b/drivers/hsi/clients/ssi_protocol.c
@@ -931,6 +931,7 @@ static int ssip_pn_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	if (err < 0) {
 		dev_err(&cl->device, "Register HSI port event failed (%d)\n",
 			err);
+		hsi_release_port(cl);
 		return err;
 	}
 	dev_dbg(&cl->device, "Configuring SSI port\n");