diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index 7766d73823eb..4cb43a980ce9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -4163,7 +4163,8 @@ static bool rtl8169_tso_csum_v2(struct rtl8169_private *tp,
 		opts[1] |= transport_offset << TCPHO_SHIFT;
 	} else {
 		if (unlikely(skb->len < ETH_ZLEN && rtl_test_hw_pad_bug(tp)))
-			return !eth_skb_pad(skb);
+			/* eth_skb_pad would free the skb on error */
+			return !__skb_put_padto(skb, ETH_ZLEN, false);
 	}
 
 	return true;