diff --git a/fs/9p/vfs_inode.c b/fs/9p/vfs_inode.c
index 5c6bdf82146c..2f580a197b8d 100644
--- a/fs/9p/vfs_inode.c
+++ b/fs/9p/vfs_inode.c
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ v9fs_create(struct v9fs_session_info *v9ses, u32 pfid, char *name, u32 perm,
 	fid = V9FS_NOFID;
 
 put_fid:
-	if (fid >= 0)
+	if (fid != V9FS_NOFID)
 		v9fs_put_idpool(fid, &v9ses->fidpool);
 
 	kfree(fcall);