diff --git a/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_da.c b/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_da.c
index 6e07d1c9a31f..55fa578cc13f 100644
--- a/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_da.c
+++ b/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_da.c
@@ -611,6 +611,8 @@ daopen(dev_t dev, int flags __unused, int fmt __unused, struct thread *td __unus
 	if (error == 0) {
 		if ((softc->flags & DA_FLAG_PACK_REMOVABLE) != 0)
 			daprevent(periph, PR_PREVENT);
+	} else {
+		cam_periph_release(periph);
 	}
 	cam_periph_unlock(periph);
 	return (error);