diff --git a/kernel/bpf/verifier.c b/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
index b66f4f6eefc0..0dc91326fb60 100644
--- a/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
+++ b/kernel/bpf/verifier.c
@@ -5067,8 +5067,12 @@ static int release_reference(struct bpf_verifier_env *env,
 		return err;
 
 	bpf_for_each_reg_in_vstate(env->cur_state, state, reg, ({
-		if (reg->ref_obj_id == ref_obj_id)
-			__mark_reg_unknown(env, reg);
+		if (reg->ref_obj_id == ref_obj_id) {
+			if (!env->allow_ptr_leaks)
+				__mark_reg_not_init(env, reg);
+			else
+				__mark_reg_unknown(env, reg);
+		}
 	}));
 
 	return 0;