diff --git a/mcu.c b/mcu.c
index 5d78a2db..860857dc 100644
--- a/mcu.c
+++ b/mcu.c
@@ -251,11 +251,14 @@ mt76pci_load_firmware(struct mt76_dev *dev)
 
 	if (!i) {
 		printk("Firmware failed to start\n");
+		release_firmware(fw);
 		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 	}
 
 	printk("Firmware running!\n");
 
+	release_firmware(fw);
+
 	return ret;
 
 error: