diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index f2269c9f5f05..0d78408b4e26 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -4704,10 +4704,10 @@ static int rtl8169_close(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	cancel_work_sync(&tp->wk.work);
 
-	phy_disconnect(tp->phydev);
-
 	free_irq(pci_irq_vector(pdev, 0), tp);
 
+	phy_disconnect(tp->phydev);
+
 	dma_free_coherent(&pdev->dev, R8169_RX_RING_BYTES, tp->RxDescArray,
 			  tp->RxPhyAddr);
 	dma_free_coherent(&pdev->dev, R8169_TX_RING_BYTES, tp->TxDescArray,