diff --git a/ntoskrnl/config/cmapi.c b/ntoskrnl/config/cmapi.c
index ee801a64aae..25daeb46c57 100644
--- a/ntoskrnl/config/cmapi.c
+++ b/ntoskrnl/config/cmapi.c
@@ -2130,6 +2130,7 @@ CmLoadKey(IN POBJECT_ATTRIBUTES TargetKey,
         DPRINT1("CmpLinkHiveToMaster failed, Status %lx\n", Status);
         /* FIXME: TODO */
         // ASSERT(FALSE); see CORE-17263
+        ExReleasePushLock(&CmpLoadHiveLock);
     }
 
     /* Is this first profile load? */