diff --git a/src/UpdateContainer.cxx b/src/UpdateContainer.cxx
index f24a1848a..27ee89bae 100644
--- a/src/UpdateContainer.cxx
+++ b/src/UpdateContainer.cxx
@@ -52,7 +52,6 @@ make_directory_if_modified(Directory *parent, const char *name,
 	if (directory != NULL) {
 		if (directory->mtime == st->st_mtime && !walk_discard) {
 			/* not modified */
-			db_unlock();
 			return NULL;
 		}