diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
index cf8385a22de5..5f6602cb191f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
@@ -1779,7 +1779,8 @@ err_hwaddr_unsync:
 		bond_hw_addr_flush(bond_dev, slave_dev);
 
 err_close:
-	slave_dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_BONDING;
+	if (!netif_is_bond_master(slave_dev))
+		slave_dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_BONDING;
 	dev_close(slave_dev);
 
 err_restore_mac:
@@ -1985,7 +1986,8 @@ static int __bond_release_one(struct net_device *bond_dev,
 	else
 		dev_set_mtu(slave_dev, slave->original_mtu);
 
-	slave_dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_BONDING;
+	if (!netif_is_bond_master(slave_dev))
+		slave_dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_BONDING;
 
 	bond_free_slave(slave);