diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
index 216bfd350169..0b72b9de5207 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
@@ -798,13 +798,13 @@ static void mkiss_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	if (!atomic_dec_and_test(&ax->refcnt))
 		down(&ax->dead_sem);
 
-	unregister_netdev(ax->dev);
-
 	/* Free all AX25 frame buffers. */
 	kfree(ax->rbuff);
 	kfree(ax->xbuff);
 
 	ax->tty = NULL;
+
+	unregister_netdev(ax->dev);
 }
 
 /* Perform I/O control on an active ax25 channel. */