diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
index 5479f85fcd35..d9df11490ab6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
@@ -1937,8 +1937,7 @@ ath5k_tasklet_rx(unsigned long data)
 		else if (unlikely(ret)) {
 			ATH5K_ERR(sc, "error in processing rx descriptor\n");
 			sc->stats.rxerr_proc++;
-			spin_unlock(&sc->rxbuflock);
-			return;
+			break;
 		}
 
 		sc->stats.rx_all_count++;