diff --git a/boards/xtensa/esp32/common/src/esp32_mcp2515.c b/boards/xtensa/esp32/common/src/esp32_mcp2515.c
index 5f5d06c029..b8bba2ef06 100644
--- a/boards/xtensa/esp32/common/src/esp32_mcp2515.c
+++ b/boards/xtensa/esp32/common/src/esp32_mcp2515.c
@@ -161,6 +161,7 @@ static int mcp2515_attach(FAR struct mcp2515_config_s *state,
   if (ret < 0)
     {
       syslog(LOG_ERR, "ERROR: gpint_attach() failed: %d\n", ret);
+      leave_critical_section(flags);
       return ret;
     }