diff --git a/refs/files-backend.c b/refs/files-backend.c
index f75d960e19..bec8e30e9e 100644
--- a/refs/files-backend.c
+++ b/refs/files-backend.c
@@ -2931,13 +2931,12 @@ static int files_initial_transaction_commit(struct ref_store *ref_store,
 
 	if (initial_ref_transaction_commit(packed_transaction, err)) {
 		ret = TRANSACTION_GENERIC_ERROR;
-		goto cleanup;
 	}
 
+	packed_refs_unlock(refs->packed_ref_store);
 cleanup:
 	if (packed_transaction)
 		ref_transaction_free(packed_transaction);
-	packed_refs_unlock(refs->packed_ref_store);
 	transaction->state = REF_TRANSACTION_CLOSED;
 	string_list_clear(&affected_refnames, 0);
 	return ret;