diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
index 65154224d5b840..7685a1721597f0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
@@ -799,6 +799,7 @@ static void mkiss_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	ax->tty = NULL;
 
 	unregister_netdev(ax->dev);
+	free_netdev(ax->dev);
 }
 
 /* Perform I/O control on an active ax25 channel. */