diff --git a/net/batman-adv/sysfs.c b/net/batman-adv/sysfs.c
index 964fc59..ab4382b 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/sysfs.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/sysfs.c
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@
 #include <linux/fs.h>
 #include <linux/if.h>
 #include <linux/if_vlan.h>
+#include <linux/kref.h>
 #include <linux/kernel.h>
 #include <linux/netdevice.h>
 #include <linux/printk.h>
@@ -97,7 +98,7 @@
 		if (vlan_tmp->kobj != obj)
 			continue;
 
-		if (!atomic_inc_not_zero(&vlan_tmp->refcount))
+		if (!kref_get_unless_zero(&vlan_tmp->refcount))
 			continue;
 
 		vlan = vlan_tmp;