diff --git a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
index 816052089b33..06d7230faf90 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nf_tables_api.c
@@ -2245,6 +2245,8 @@ static int nf_tables_addchain(struct nft_ctx *ctx, u8 family, u8 genmask,
 			kfree(basechain);
 			return err;
 		}
+		if (stats)
+			static_branch_inc(&nft_counters_enabled);
 	} else {
 		if (flags & NFT_CHAIN_BASE)
 			return -EINVAL;
@@ -2319,9 +2321,6 @@ static int nf_tables_addchain(struct nft_ctx *ctx, u8 family, u8 genmask,
 		goto err_unregister_hook;
 	}
 
-	if (stats)
-		static_branch_inc(&nft_counters_enabled);
-
 	table->use++;
 
 	return 0;