diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
index 6192244b304ab..4650ca28a516a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
@@ -669,14 +669,14 @@ static void sixpack_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	 */
 	netif_stop_queue(sp->dev);
 
+	unregister_netdev(sp->dev);
+
 	del_timer_sync(&sp->tx_t);
 	del_timer_sync(&sp->resync_t);
 
 	/* Free all 6pack frame buffers. */
 	kfree(sp->rbuff);
 	kfree(sp->xbuff);
-
-	unregister_netdev(sp->dev);
 }
 
 /* Perform I/O control on an active 6pack channel. */