diff --git a/security/keys/key.c b/security/keys/key.c
index 07a87311055c..09ef276c4bdc 100644
--- a/security/keys/key.c
+++ b/security/keys/key.c
@@ -430,7 +430,8 @@ static int __key_instantiate_and_link(struct key *key,
 
 			/* and link it into the destination keyring */
 			if (keyring) {
-				set_bit(KEY_FLAG_KEEP, &key->flags);
+				if (test_bit(KEY_FLAG_KEEP, &keyring->flags))
+					set_bit(KEY_FLAG_KEEP, &key->flags);
 
 				__key_link(key, _edit);
 			}