diff --git a/kmod/src/srch.c b/kmod/src/srch.c
index 54d437a9..e1b5fb90 100644
--- a/kmod/src/srch.c
+++ b/kmod/src/srch.c
@@ -2276,12 +2276,11 @@ static void scoutfs_srch_compact_worker(struct work_struct *work)
 	} else {
 		ret = -EINVAL;
 	}
-	if (ret < 0)
-		goto commit;
 
-	ret = scoutfs_alloc_prepare_commit(sb, &alloc, &wri) ?:
+	scoutfs_alloc_prepare_commit(sb, &alloc, &wri);
+	if (ret == 0)
 	      scoutfs_block_writer_write(sb, &wri);
-commit:
+
 	/* the server won't use our partial compact if _ERROR is set */
 	sc->meta_avail = alloc.avail;
 	sc->meta_freed = alloc.freed;