diff --git a/drivers/mtd/ubi/wl.c b/drivers/mtd/ubi/wl.c
index 5df49d3cb5c..c95bfb183c6 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/ubi/wl.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/ubi/wl.c
@@ -1069,6 +1069,9 @@ static int wear_leveling_worker(struct ubi_device *ubi, struct ubi_work *wrk,
 		if (!(e2->ec - e1->ec >= UBI_WL_THRESHOLD)) {
 			dbg_wl("no WL needed: min used EC %d, max free EC %d",
 			       e1->ec, e2->ec);
+
+			/* Give the unused PEB back */
+			wl_tree_add(e2, &ubi->free);
 			goto out_cancel;
 		}
 		self_check_in_wl_tree(ubi, e1, &ubi->used);