diff --git a/rsContext.cpp b/rsContext.cpp
index cc6f6de..f6686a9 100644
--- a/rsContext.cpp
+++ b/rsContext.cpp
@@ -491,6 +491,7 @@
 
     if (!mIO.init()) {
         ALOGE("Failed initializing IO Fifo");
+        pthread_mutex_unlock(&gInitMutex);
         return false;
     }
     mIO.setTimeoutCallback(printWatchdogInfo, this, 2e9);