diff --git a/fs/exec.c b/fs/exec.c
index 983295c0b8ac..2006e245b8f3 100644
--- a/fs/exec.c
+++ b/fs/exec.c
@@ -1392,6 +1392,9 @@ int begin_new_exec(struct linux_binprm * bprm)
 
 out_unlock:
 	up_write(&me->signal->exec_update_lock);
+	if (!bprm->cred)
+		mutex_unlock(&me->signal->cred_guard_mutex);
+
 out:
 	return retval;
 }