diff --git a/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_target.c b/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_target.c
index 66028f13683..bb2bf1298b8 100644
--- a/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_target.c
+++ b/sys/cam/scsi/scsi_target.c
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
  * OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF
  * SUCH DAMAGE.
  *
- *      $Id: scsi_target.c,v 1.8 1999/02/11 07:08:58 gibbs Exp $
+ *      $Id: scsi_target.c,v 1.9 1999/03/05 23:25:10 gibbs Exp $
  */
 #include <stddef.h>	/* For offsetof */
 
@@ -638,9 +638,6 @@ targallocinstance(struct ioc_alloc_unit *alloc_unit)
 				  0, &cpi);
 
 fail:
-	if (free_path_on_return != 0)
-		xpt_free_path(path);
-
 	switch (status) {
 	case CAM_REQ_CMP:
 	{
@@ -668,6 +665,10 @@ fail:
 		error = ENODEV;
 		break;
 	}
+
+	if (free_path_on_return != 0)
+		xpt_free_path(path);
+
 	return (error);
 }