diff --git a/net/batman-adv/bat_v_elp.c b/net/batman-adv/bat_v_elp.c
index a9b7919c9de553..d5df0114f08ac5 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/bat_v_elp.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/bat_v_elp.c
@@ -104,8 +104,10 @@ static u32 batadv_v_elp_get_throughput(struct batadv_hardif_neigh_node *neigh)
 
 		ret = cfg80211_get_station(real_netdev, neigh->addr, &sinfo);
 
-		/* free the TID stats immediately */
-		cfg80211_sinfo_release_content(&sinfo);
+		if (!ret) {
+			/* free the TID stats immediately */
+			cfg80211_sinfo_release_content(&sinfo);
+		}
 
 		dev_put(real_netdev);
 		if (ret == -ENOENT) {