diff --git a/net/mac802154/ieee802154_dev.c b/net/mac802154/ieee802154_dev.c
index e748aed290a..b7c7f815dea 100644
--- a/net/mac802154/ieee802154_dev.c
+++ b/net/mac802154/ieee802154_dev.c
@@ -224,9 +224,9 @@ void ieee802154_free_device(struct ieee802154_dev *hw)
 
 	BUG_ON(!list_empty(&priv->slaves));
 
-	wpan_phy_free(priv->phy);
-
 	mutex_destroy(&priv->slaves_mtx);
+
+	wpan_phy_free(priv->phy);
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(ieee802154_free_device);