diff --git a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
index 601d1ac1c688b2..d593bc65b4ca40 100644
--- a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
+++ b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
@@ -789,8 +789,10 @@ static ssize_t show_protocols(struct device *device,
 	} else if (dev->raw) {
 		enabled = dev->raw->enabled_protocols;
 		allowed = ir_raw_get_allowed_protocols();
-	} else
+	} else {
+		mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
 		return -ENODEV;
+	}
 
 	IR_dprintk(1, "allowed - 0x%llx, enabled - 0x%llx\n",
 		   (long long)allowed,