diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
index a22c1ec29de7..64f9e1b8655f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
@@ -328,6 +328,8 @@ static int pwm_backlight_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	if (IS_ERR(bl)) {
 		dev_err(&pdev->dev, "failed to register backlight\n");
 		ret = PTR_ERR(bl);
+		if (pb->legacy)
+			pwm_free(pb->pwm);
 		goto err_alloc;
 	}