diff --git a/net/batman-adv/network-coding.c b/net/batman-adv/network-coding.c
index 00f74d4..3a42e26b 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/network-coding.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/network-coding.c
@@ -1950,7 +1950,7 @@
 
 out:
 	if (primary_if)
-		batadv_hardif_free_ref(primary_if);
+		batadv_hardif_put(primary_if);
 	return 0;
 }