diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
index 5f38a002bd9e..cde27411edc6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
@@ -793,6 +793,8 @@ static void mkiss_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	 * on our buffers
 	 */
 	netif_stop_queue(ax->dev);
+	
+	ax->tty = NULL;
 
 	unregister_netdev(ax->dev);
 
@@ -800,8 +802,6 @@ static void mkiss_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	kfree(ax->rbuff);
 	kfree(ax->xbuff);
 
-	ax->tty = NULL;
-
 	free_netdev(ax->dev);
 }