diff --git a/src/system/kernel/fs/vfs.cpp b/src/system/kernel/fs/vfs.cpp
index ec4081013c..4d4a64f02e 100644
--- a/src/system/kernel/fs/vfs.cpp
+++ b/src/system/kernel/fs/vfs.cpp
@@ -3665,7 +3665,6 @@ remove_vnode(fs_volume *volume, ino_t vnodeID)
 
 	if (vnode->covered_by != NULL) {
 		// this vnode is in use
-		mutex_unlock(&sVnodeMutex);
 		return B_BUSY;
 	}