diff --git a/criu/mount.c b/criu/mount.c
index f4748d1c6..4919bd323 100644
--- a/criu/mount.c
+++ b/criu/mount.c
@@ -3050,13 +3050,12 @@ int prepare_mnt_ns(void)
 				pr_perror("Can't restore mntns back");
 				goto err;
 			}
-			nsid->mnt.ns_fd = rst;
-			rst = fd;
-		} else {
-			/* Pin one with a file descriptor */
-			nsid->mnt.ns_fd = fd;
+			SWAP(rst, fd);
 		}
 
+		/* Pin one with a file descriptor */
+		nsid->mnt.ns_fd = fd;
+
 		/* Set its root */
 		path[0] = '/';
 		print_ns_root(nsid, 0, path + 1, sizeof(path) - 1);