diff --git a/drivers/dpll/zl3073x/devlink.c b/drivers/dpll/zl3073x/devlink.c
index f55d5309d4f9..ccc22332b346 100644
--- a/drivers/dpll/zl3073x/devlink.c
+++ b/drivers/dpll/zl3073x/devlink.c
@@ -167,7 +167,6 @@ zl3073x_devlink_flash_prepare(struct zl3073x_dev *zldev,
 		zl3073x_devlink_flash_notify(zldev,
 					     "Utility is missing in firmware",
 					     NULL, 0, 0);
-		zl3073x_fw_free(zlfw);
 		return -ENOEXEC;
 	}