diff --git a/drivers/gpu/drm/gma500/gem.c b/drivers/gpu/drm/gma500/gem.c
index c707fa6..e3bdc8b 100644
--- a/drivers/gpu/drm/gma500/gem.c
+++ b/drivers/gpu/drm/gma500/gem.c
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@
 		return ret;
 	}
 	/* We have the initial and handle reference but need only one now */
-	drm_gem_object_unreference(&r->gem);
+	drm_gem_object_unreference_unlocked(&r->gem);
 	*handlep = handle;
 	return 0;
 }