diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
index aa693c8e285a..bde8ec75ac4e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
@@ -1897,13 +1897,16 @@ static int alx_resume(struct device *dev)
 
 	if (!netif_running(alx->dev))
 		return 0;
-	netif_device_attach(alx->dev);
 
 	rtnl_lock();
 	err = __alx_open(alx, true);
 	rtnl_unlock();
+	if (err)
+		return err;
 
-	return err;
+	netif_device_attach(alx->dev);
+
+	return 0;
 }
 
 static SIMPLE_DEV_PM_OPS(alx_pm_ops, alx_suspend, alx_resume);