diff --git a/lib/roles/netlink/ops-netlink.c b/lib/roles/netlink/ops-netlink.c
index 37d61972b..5996bc91c 100644
--- a/lib/roles/netlink/ops-netlink.c
+++ b/lib/roles/netlink/ops-netlink.c
@@ -434,6 +434,7 @@ rops_pt_init_destroy_netlink(struct lws_context *context,
 	return 0;
 
 bail2:
+	__lws_lc_untag(&wsi->lc);
 	compatible_close(wsi->desc.sockfd);
 bail1:
 	lws_free(wsi);