diff --git a/drivers/net/dummy.c b/drivers/net/dummy.c
index 42aa54af6842..b710c6b2d659 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dummy.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dummy.c
@@ -185,6 +185,8 @@ static int __init dummy_init_module(void)
 
 	rtnl_lock();
 	err = __rtnl_link_register(&dummy_link_ops);
+	if (err < 0)
+		goto out;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < numdummies && !err; i++) {
 		err = dummy_init_one();
@@ -192,6 +194,8 @@ static int __init dummy_init_module(void)
 	}
 	if (err < 0)
 		__rtnl_link_unregister(&dummy_link_ops);
+
+out:
 	rtnl_unlock();
 
 	return err;