diff --git a/kernel/audit_watch.c b/kernel/audit_watch.c
index 1f31c2f1e6fc..4508d5e0cf69 100644
--- a/kernel/audit_watch.c
+++ b/kernel/audit_watch.c
@@ -351,12 +351,12 @@ static int audit_get_nd(struct audit_watch *watch, struct path *parent)
 	struct dentry *d = kern_path_locked(watch->path, parent);
 	if (IS_ERR(d))
 		return PTR_ERR(d);
-	inode_unlock(d_backing_inode(parent->dentry));
 	if (d_is_positive(d)) {
 		/* update watch filter fields */
 		watch->dev = d->d_sb->s_dev;
 		watch->ino = d_backing_inode(d)->i_ino;
 	}
+	inode_unlock(d_backing_inode(parent->dentry));
 	dput(d);
 	return 0;
 }