diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
index 98a8698a3201..2ac5253ff89a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
@@ -1912,11 +1912,14 @@ static int alx_suspend(struct device *dev)
 
 	if (!netif_running(alx->dev))
 		return 0;
+
+	rtnl_lock();
 	netif_device_detach(alx->dev);
 
 	mutex_lock(&alx->mtx);
 	__alx_stop(alx);
 	mutex_unlock(&alx->mtx);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 
 	return 0;
 }
@@ -1927,6 +1930,7 @@ static int alx_resume(struct device *dev)
 	struct alx_hw *hw = &alx->hw;
 	int err;
 
+	rtnl_lock();
 	mutex_lock(&alx->mtx);
 	alx_reset_phy(hw);
 
@@ -1943,6 +1947,7 @@ static int alx_resume(struct device *dev)
 
 unlock:
 	mutex_unlock(&alx->mtx);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 	return err;
 }