diff --git a/pkg/kv/kvserver/kvflowcontrol/kvflowhandle/kvflowhandle.go b/pkg/kv/kvserver/kvflowcontrol/kvflowhandle/kvflowhandle.go
index 45726924519f..21da940bad8b 100644
--- a/pkg/kv/kvserver/kvflowcontrol/kvflowhandle/kvflowhandle.go
+++ b/pkg/kv/kvserver/kvflowcontrol/kvflowhandle/kvflowhandle.go
@@ -97,6 +97,7 @@ func (h *Handle) Admit(ctx context.Context, pri admissionpb.WorkPriority, ct tim
 
 	h.mu.Lock()
 	if h.mu.closed {
+		h.mu.Unlock()
 		log.Errorf(ctx, "operating on a closed handle")
 		return nil
 	}