diff --git a/crypto/algapi.c b/crypto/algapi.c
index de30ddc952d8..b860889ec99d 100644
--- a/crypto/algapi.c
+++ b/crypto/algapi.c
@@ -669,11 +669,9 @@ EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(crypto_grab_spawn);
 
 void crypto_drop_spawn(struct crypto_spawn *spawn)
 {
-	if (!spawn->alg)
-		return;
-
 	down_write(&crypto_alg_sem);
-	list_del(&spawn->list);
+	if (spawn->alg)
+		list_del(&spawn->list);
 	up_write(&crypto_alg_sem);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(crypto_drop_spawn);