diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c b/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
index c204067f18902..c198722e4871d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
@@ -460,6 +460,9 @@ static void of_mdiobus_link_mdiodev(struct mii_bus *bus,
 
 		if (addr == mdiodev->addr) {
 			device_set_node(dev, of_fwnode_handle(child));
+			/* The refcount on "child" is passed to the mdio
+			 * device. Do _not_ use of_node_put(child) here.
+			 */
 			return;
 		}
 	}