diff --git a/src/core/channel/client_channel.c b/src/core/channel/client_channel.c
index 384724d3158..61fc4222d1f 100644
--- a/src/core/channel/client_channel.c
+++ b/src/core/channel/client_channel.c
@@ -202,6 +202,7 @@ static void started_call(void *arg, int iomgr_success) {
     }
   } else {
     GPR_ASSERT(calld->state == CALL_CANCELLED);
+    gpr_mu_unlock(&calld->mu_state);
   }
 }