diff --git a/security/keys/request_key.c b/security/keys/request_key.c
index 8e319a416eec..82465328c39b 100644
--- a/security/keys/request_key.c
+++ b/security/keys/request_key.c
@@ -469,7 +469,7 @@ static struct key *construct_key_and_link(struct key_type *type,
 	} else if (ret == -EINPROGRESS) {
 		ret = 0;
 	} else {
-		key = ERR_PTR(ret);
+		goto couldnt_alloc_key;
 	}
 
 	key_put(dest_keyring);
@@ -479,6 +479,7 @@ static struct key *construct_key_and_link(struct key_type *type,
 construction_failed:
 	key_negate_and_link(key, key_negative_timeout, NULL, NULL);
 	key_put(key);
+couldnt_alloc_key:
 	key_put(dest_keyring);
 	kleave(" = %d", ret);
 	return ERR_PTR(ret);