diff --git a/fs/cachefiles/cache.c b/fs/cachefiles/cache.c
index 7077f72..f449f73 100644
--- a/fs/cachefiles/cache.c
+++ b/fs/cachefiles/cache.c
@@ -168,6 +168,8 @@ int cachefiles_add_cache(struct cachefiles_cache *cache)
 	dput(root);
 error_open_root:
 	cachefiles_end_secure(cache, saved_cred);
+	put_cred(cache->cache_cred);
+	cache->cache_cred = NULL;
 error_getsec:
 	fscache_relinquish_cache(cache_cookie);
 	cache->cache = NULL;