diff --git a/fs/vfs/fs_close.c b/fs/vfs/fs_close.c
index 6058a41c047..a5197e49f72 100644
--- a/fs/vfs/fs_close.c
+++ b/fs/vfs/fs_close.c
@@ -81,7 +81,10 @@ int file_close_without_clear(FAR struct file *filep)
 
       /* And release the inode */
 
-      inode_release(inode);
+      if (ret >= 0)
+        {
+          inode_release(inode);
+        }
     }
 
   return ret;