diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index ba399a660573..1a70e7ae90cc 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -1805,8 +1805,8 @@ static void gsm_dlci_t1(struct timer_list *t)
 
 	switch (dlci->state) {
 	case DLCI_OPENING:
-		dlci->retries--;
 		if (dlci->retries) {
+			dlci->retries--;
 			gsm_command(dlci->gsm, dlci->addr, SABM|PF);
 			mod_timer(&dlci->t1, jiffies + gsm->t1 * HZ / 100);
 		} else if (!dlci->addr && gsm->control == (DM | PF)) {
@@ -1821,8 +1821,8 @@ static void gsm_dlci_t1(struct timer_list *t)
 
 		break;
 	case DLCI_CLOSING:
-		dlci->retries--;
 		if (dlci->retries) {
+			dlci->retries--;
 			gsm_command(dlci->gsm, dlci->addr, DISC|PF);
 			mod_timer(&dlci->t1, jiffies + gsm->t1 * HZ / 100);
 		} else