diff --git a/arch/um/drivers/line.c b/arch/um/drivers/line.c
index 7f7338c90784..1664cce7b0ac 100644
--- a/arch/um/drivers/line.c
+++ b/arch/um/drivers/line.c
@@ -727,6 +727,9 @@ struct winch {
 
 static void free_winch(struct winch *winch, int free_irq_ok)
 {
+	if (free_irq_ok)
+		free_irq(WINCH_IRQ, winch);
+
 	list_del(&winch->list);
 
 	if (winch->pid != -1)
@@ -735,8 +738,6 @@ static void free_winch(struct winch *winch, int free_irq_ok)
 		os_close_file(winch->fd);
 	if (winch->stack != 0)
 		free_stack(winch->stack, 0);
-	if (free_irq_ok)
-		free_irq(WINCH_IRQ, winch);
 	kfree(winch);
 }