diff --git a/security/keys/gc.c b/security/keys/gc.c
index 87632bd17b3e..f85d6381c06e 100644
--- a/security/keys/gc.c
+++ b/security/keys/gc.c
@@ -174,6 +174,10 @@ static noinline void key_gc_unused_key(struct key *key)
 {
 	key_check(key);
 
+	/* Throw away the key data */
+	if (key->type->destroy)
+		key->type->destroy(key);
+
 	security_key_free(key);
 
 	/* deal with the user's key tracking and quota */
@@ -188,10 +192,6 @@ static noinline void key_gc_unused_key(struct key *key)
 	if (test_bit(KEY_FLAG_INSTANTIATED, &key->flags))
 		atomic_dec(&key->user->nikeys);
 
-	/* now throw away the key memory */
-	if (key->type->destroy)
-		key->type->destroy(key);
-
 	key_user_put(key->user);
 
 	kfree(key->description);