diff --git a/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c b/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
index cb360dca32509..d62a904d2e422 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
@@ -325,6 +325,7 @@ static int lapbeth_open(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	err = lapb_register(dev, &lapbeth_callbacks);
 	if (err != LAPB_OK) {
+		napi_disable(&lapbeth->napi);
 		pr_err("lapb_register error: %d\n", err);
 		return -ENODEV;
 	}