diff --git a/dlls/winealsa.drv/mixer.c b/dlls/winealsa.drv/mixer.c
index f1b2e127a53..daa45a1f85e 100644
--- a/dlls/winealsa.drv/mixer.c
+++ b/dlls/winealsa.drv/mixer.c
@@ -573,6 +573,7 @@ static void ALSA_MixerExit(void)
         EnterCriticalSection(&elem_crst);
         TerminateThread(thread, 1);
         refcnt = 0;
+        LeaveCriticalSection(&elem_crst);
     }
 
     TRACE("Cleaning up\n");