diff --git a/drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c b/drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c
index 6d45caa1f9a03..294bb5ecfc1cd 100644
--- a/drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c
+++ b/drivers/vfio/vfio_main.c
@@ -338,6 +338,9 @@ void vfio_unregister_group_dev(struct vfio_device *device)
 	 */
 	vfio_device_group_unregister(device);
 
+	/* Balances device_add in register path */
+	device_del(&device->device);
+
 	vfio_device_put_registration(device);
 	rc = try_wait_for_completion(&device->comp);
 	while (rc <= 0) {
@@ -361,9 +364,6 @@ void vfio_unregister_group_dev(struct vfio_device *device)
 		}
 	}
 
-	/* Balances device_add in register path */
-	device_del(&device->device);
-
 	/* Balances vfio_device_set_group in register path */
 	vfio_device_remove_group(device);
 }