diff --git a/gst/rtp/gstrtpsink.c b/gst/rtp/gstrtpsink.c
index 24becc14fb..09f3cdeeaf 100644
--- a/gst/rtp/gstrtpsink.c
+++ b/gst/rtp/gstrtpsink.c
@@ -251,11 +251,11 @@ gst_rtp_sink_request_new_pad (GstElement * element,
     return NULL;
 
   GST_RTP_SINK_LOCK (self);
-
   pad = gst_element_get_request_pad (self->rtpbin, "send_rtp_sink_%u");
+  GST_RTP_SINK_UNLOCK (self);
+
   g_return_val_if_fail (pad != NULL, NULL);
 
-  GST_RTP_SINK_UNLOCK (self);
 
   return pad;
 }