diff --git a/kernel/auditfilter.c b/kernel/auditfilter.c
index f9fc54bbe06f..267436826c3b 100644
--- a/kernel/auditfilter.c
+++ b/kernel/auditfilter.c
@@ -594,6 +594,10 @@ exit_nofree:
 	return entry;
 
 exit_free:
+	if (entry->rule.watch)
+		audit_put_watch(entry->rule.watch); /* matches initial get */
+	if (entry->rule.tree)
+		audit_put_tree(entry->rule.tree); /* that's the temporary one */
 	audit_free_rule(entry);
 	return ERR_PTR(err);
 }