diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/airo.c b/drivers/net/wireless/airo.c
index 528d56375623..053f90c7aa1b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/airo.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/airo.c
@@ -2931,8 +2931,8 @@ static struct net_device *_init_airo_card( unsigned short irq, int port,
 	        release_region( dev->base_addr, 64 );
 err_out_nets:
 	airo_networks_free(ai);
-	del_airo_dev(ai);
 err_out_free:
+	del_airo_dev(ai);
 	free_netdev(dev);
 	return NULL;
 }