diff --git a/datapath/datapath.c b/datapath/datapath.c
index aceb655bdd8..cf216c8ec7a 100644
--- a/datapath/datapath.c
+++ b/datapath/datapath.c
@@ -1746,6 +1746,7 @@ static int ovs_dp_cmd_new(struct sk_buff *skb, struct genl_info *info)
 				ovs_dp_reset_user_features(skb, info);
 		}
 
+		ovs_unlock();
 		goto err_destroy_meters;
 	}
 
@@ -1762,7 +1763,6 @@ static int ovs_dp_cmd_new(struct sk_buff *skb, struct genl_info *info)
 	return 0;
 
 err_destroy_meters:
-	ovs_unlock();
 	ovs_meters_exit(dp);
 err_destroy_ports_array:
 	kfree(dp->ports);