diff --git a/fs/cachefiles/security.c b/fs/cachefiles/security.c
index b5808cdb2232..039b5011d83b 100644
--- a/fs/cachefiles/security.c
+++ b/fs/cachefiles/security.c
@@ -77,6 +77,8 @@ static int cachefiles_check_cache_dir(struct cachefiles_cache *cache,
 /*
  * check the security details of the on-disk cache
  * - must be called with security override in force
+ * - must return with a security override in force - even in the case of an
+ *   error
  */
 int cachefiles_determine_cache_security(struct cachefiles_cache *cache,
 					struct dentry *root,
@@ -99,6 +101,8 @@ int cachefiles_determine_cache_security(struct cachefiles_cache *cache,
 	 * which create files */
 	ret = set_create_files_as(new, root->d_inode);
 	if (ret < 0) {
+		abort_creds(new);
+		cachefiles_begin_secure(cache, _saved_cred);
 		_leave(" = %d [cfa]", ret);
 		return ret;
 	}