diff --git a/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c b/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c
index 6e8c527..27483f9 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/serial/usb-serial.c
@@ -757,7 +757,7 @@
 
 		if (retval) {
 			dbg("sub driver rejected device");
-			kfree(serial);
+			usb_serial_put(serial);
 			module_put(type->driver.owner);
 			return retval;
 		}
@@ -829,7 +829,7 @@
 		 */
 		if (num_bulk_in == 0 || num_bulk_out == 0) {
 			dev_info(&interface->dev, "PL-2303 hack: descriptors matched but endpoints did not\n");
-			kfree(serial);
+			usb_serial_put(serial);
 			module_put(type->driver.owner);
 			return -ENODEV;
 		}
@@ -843,7 +843,7 @@
 		if (num_ports == 0) {
 			dev_err(&interface->dev,
 			    "Generic device with no bulk out, not allowed.\n");
-			kfree(serial);
+			usb_serial_put(serial);
 			module_put(type->driver.owner);
 			return -EIO;
 		}