diff --git a/image.go b/image.go
index b2d7f8eb49..dbd2173597 100644
--- a/image.go
+++ b/image.go
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ func (img *Image) TarLayer() (arch archive.Archive, err error) {
 	}
 
 	defer func() {
-		if err == nil {
+		if err != nil {
 			driver.Put(img.ID)
 		}
 	}()