diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/qlogic/qlcnic/qlcnic_83xx_hw.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/qlogic/qlcnic/qlcnic_83xx_hw.c
index d8882d0b6b498..d51bac7ba5afa 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/qlogic/qlcnic/qlcnic_83xx_hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/qlogic/qlcnic/qlcnic_83xx_hw.c
@@ -3156,8 +3156,10 @@ int qlcnic_83xx_flash_read32(struct qlcnic_adapter *adapter, u32 flash_addr,
 
 		indirect_addr = QLC_83XX_FLASH_DIRECT_DATA(addr);
 		ret = QLCRD32(adapter, indirect_addr, &err);
-		if (err == -EIO)
+		if (err == -EIO) {
+			qlcnic_83xx_unlock_flash(adapter);
 			return err;
+		}
 
 		word = ret;
 		*(u32 *)p_data  = word;