diff --git a/net/batman-adv/routing.c b/net/batman-adv/routing.c
index e1ebe14ee2a6e21cc8d6b4a42552cae4bd15061f..ae9f4d37d34f07182c3d2527186a0999fe5b639d 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/routing.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/routing.c
@@ -987,7 +987,7 @@ int batadv_recv_unicast_packet(struct sk_buff *skb,
 				batadv_dbg(BATADV_DBG_BLA, bat_priv,
 					   "recv_unicast_packet(): Dropped unicast pkt received from another backbone gw %pM.\n",
 					   orig_addr_gw);
-				return NET_RX_DROP;
+				goto free_skb;
 			}
 		}