diff --git a/drivers/staging/r8188eu/hal/rtl8188e_hal_init.c b/drivers/staging/r8188eu/hal/rtl8188e_hal_init.c
index a677b2049ef3..9f2b86f9b660 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/r8188eu/hal/rtl8188e_hal_init.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/r8188eu/hal/rtl8188e_hal_init.c
@@ -572,10 +572,10 @@ static int load_firmware(struct rt_firmware *pFirmware, struct device *device)
 	}
 	memcpy(pFirmware->szFwBuffer, fw->data, fw->size);
 	pFirmware->ulFwLength = fw->size;
-	release_firmware(fw);
 	dev_dbg(device, "!bUsedWoWLANFw, FmrmwareLen:%d+\n", pFirmware->ulFwLength);
 
 Exit:
+	release_firmware(fw);
 	return rtStatus;
 }