diff --git a/security/keys/keyring.c b/security/keys/keyring.c
index 4448758f643a..f331725d5a37 100644
--- a/security/keys/keyring.c
+++ b/security/keys/keyring.c
@@ -772,8 +772,11 @@ static bool search_nested_keyrings(struct key *keyring,
 	for (; slot < ASSOC_ARRAY_FAN_OUT; slot++) {
 		ptr = READ_ONCE(node->slots[slot]);
 
-		if (assoc_array_ptr_is_meta(ptr) && node->back_pointer)
-			goto descend_to_node;
+		if (assoc_array_ptr_is_meta(ptr)) {
+			if (node->back_pointer ||
+			    assoc_array_ptr_is_shortcut(ptr))
+				goto descend_to_node;
+		}
 
 		if (!keyring_ptr_is_keyring(ptr))
 			continue;