diff --git a/net/appletalk/ddp.c b/net/appletalk/ddp.c
index 8daa3a1bfa4c..344a38905c48 100644
--- a/net/appletalk/ddp.c
+++ b/net/appletalk/ddp.c
@@ -563,6 +563,7 @@ static int atrtr_create(struct rtentry *r, struct net_device *devhint)
 
 	/* Fill in the routing entry */
 	rt->target  = ta->sat_addr;
+	dev_put(rt->dev); /* Release old device */
 	dev_hold(devhint);
 	rt->dev     = devhint;
 	rt->flags   = r->rt_flags;