diff --git a/drivers/scsi/st.c b/drivers/scsi/st.c
index e3266a64a477..2121e44c342f 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/st.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/st.c
@@ -1267,8 +1267,8 @@ static int st_open(struct inode *inode, struct file *filp)
 	spin_lock(&st_use_lock);
 	if (STp->in_use) {
 		spin_unlock(&st_use_lock);
-		scsi_tape_put(STp);
 		DEBC_printk(STp, "Device already in use.\n");
+		scsi_tape_put(STp);
 		return (-EBUSY);
 	}