diff --git a/fs/cifs/file.c b/fs/cifs/file.c
index a94b3e673182..ca30c391a894 100644
--- a/fs/cifs/file.c
+++ b/fs/cifs/file.c
@@ -1823,6 +1823,7 @@ refind_writable:
 			cifsFileInfo_put(inv_file);
 			spin_lock(&cifs_file_list_lock);
 			++refind;
+			inv_file = NULL;
 			goto refind_writable;
 		}
 	}