diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_ecm.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_ecm.c
index b104ed0c1ab5a..6ce044008cf6c 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_ecm.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_ecm.c
@@ -705,6 +705,8 @@ ecm_bind(struct usb_configuration *c, struct usb_function *f)
 		ecm_opts->bound = true;
 	}
 
+	ecm_string_defs[1].s = ecm->ethaddr;
+
 	us = usb_gstrings_attach(cdev, ecm_strings,
 				 ARRAY_SIZE(ecm_string_defs));
 	if (IS_ERR(us))
@@ -928,7 +930,6 @@ static struct usb_function *ecm_alloc(struct usb_function_instance *fi)
 		mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);
 		return ERR_PTR(-EINVAL);
 	}
-	ecm_string_defs[1].s = ecm->ethaddr;
 
 	ecm->port.ioport = netdev_priv(opts->net);
 	mutex_unlock(&opts->lock);