if (initial_ref_transaction_commit(packed_transaction, err)) {
                ret = TRANSACTION_GENERIC_ERROR;
-               goto cleanup;
        }
 
+       packed_refs_unlock(refs->packed_ref_store);
 cleanup:
        if (packed_transaction)
                ref_transaction_free(packed_transaction);
-       packed_refs_unlock(refs->packed_ref_store);
        transaction->state = REF_TRANSACTION_CLOSED;
        string_list_clear(&affected_refnames, 0);
        return ret;