diff --git a/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c b/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
index 35ed1d32bab5..b0517a0bc8e7 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/bridge_loop_avoidance.c
@@ -718,12 +718,13 @@ static void batadv_bla_add_claim(struct batadv_priv *bat_priv,
 		claim->lasttime = jiffies;
 		kref_get(&backbone_gw->refcount);
 		claim->backbone_gw = backbone_gw;
-
 		kref_init(&claim->refcount);
-		kref_get(&claim->refcount);
+
 		batadv_dbg(BATADV_DBG_BLA, bat_priv,
 			   "bla_add_claim(): adding new entry %pM, vid %d to hash ...\n",
 			   mac, BATADV_PRINT_VID(vid));
+
+		kref_get(&claim->refcount);
 		hash_added = batadv_hash_add(bat_priv->bla.claim_hash,
 					     batadv_compare_claim,
 					     batadv_choose_claim, claim,