diff --git a/fs/nfs/direct.c b/fs/nfs/direct.c
index b5385a7efd56..05099890a929 100644
--- a/fs/nfs/direct.c
+++ b/fs/nfs/direct.c
@@ -517,9 +517,9 @@ static void nfs_direct_commit_complete(struct nfs_commit_data *data)
 		nfs_list_remove_request(req);
 		if (dreq->flags == NFS_ODIRECT_RESCHED_WRITES) {
 			/* Note the rewrite will go through mds */
-			kref_get(&req->wb_kref);
 			nfs_mark_request_commit(req, NULL, &cinfo);
-		}
+		} else
+			nfs_release_request(req);
 		nfs_unlock_and_release_request(req);
 	}