diff --git a/net/appletalk/ddp.c b/net/appletalk/ddp.c
index d1fea5c..876dbac 100644
--- a/net/appletalk/ddp.c
+++ b/net/appletalk/ddp.c
@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@
 
 	/* Fill in the routing entry */
 	rt->target  = ta->sat_addr;
+	dev_hold(devhint);
 	rt->dev     = devhint;
 	rt->flags   = r->rt_flags;
 	rt->gateway = ga->sat_addr;