diff --git a/sndiod/dev.c b/sndiod/dev.c
index c448281..6a4cff8 100644
--- a/sndiod/dev.c
+++ b/sndiod/dev.c
@@ -1515,19 +1515,19 @@ slot_new(struct dev *d, char *who, struct slotops *ops, void *arg, int mode)
 found:
 	if (!dev_ref(d))
 		return NULL;
+	if ((mode & d->mode) != mode) {
+		if (log_level >= 1) {
+			slot_log(s);
+			log_puts(": requested mode not supported\n");
+		}
+		dev_unref(d);
+		return 0;
+	}
 	s->dev = d;
 	s->ops = ops;
 	s->arg = arg;
 	s->pstate = SLOT_INIT;
 	s->tstate = MMC_OFF;
-
-	if ((mode & s->dev->mode) != mode) {
-		if (log_level >= 1) {
-			slot_log(s);
-			log_puts(": requested mode not supported\n");
-		}
-		return 0;
-	}
 	s->mode = mode;
 	aparams_init(&s->par);
 	if (s->mode & MODE_PLAY) {