diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
index 078eb110381c2..f0de35ac01cf0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/mkiss.c
@@ -803,13 +803,14 @@ static void mkiss_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 	 */
 	netif_stop_queue(ax->dev);
 
-	/* Free all AX25 frame buffers. */
-	kfree(ax->rbuff);
-	kfree(ax->xbuff);
-
 	ax->tty = NULL;
 
 	unregister_netdev(ax->dev);
+
+	/* Free all AX25 frame buffers after unreg. */
+	kfree(ax->rbuff);
+	kfree(ax->xbuff);
+
 	free_netdev(ax->dev);
 }