diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
index b8763343dcae..799dc32c5bc7 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/uvc_configfs.c
@@ -928,6 +928,7 @@ static int uvcg_streaming_header_allow_link(struct config_item *src,
 	format_ptr->fmt = target_fmt;
 	list_add_tail(&format_ptr->entry, &src_hdr->formats);
 	++src_hdr->num_fmt;
+	++target_fmt->linked;
 
 out:
 	mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);
@@ -965,6 +966,8 @@ static void uvcg_streaming_header_drop_link(struct config_item *src,
 			break;
 		}
 
+	--target_fmt->linked;
+
 out:
 	mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);
 	mutex_unlock(su_mutex);