diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
index b9b4edb913c1..9b7f1af5f574 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
@@ -1249,8 +1249,12 @@ out_disable_adv_intr:
 
 static void __alx_stop(struct alx_priv *alx)
 {
-	alx_halt(alx);
 	alx_free_irq(alx);
+
+	cancel_work_sync(&alx->link_check_wk);
+	cancel_work_sync(&alx->reset_wk);
+
+	alx_halt(alx);
 	alx_free_rings(alx);
 	alx_free_napis(alx);
 }
@@ -1855,9 +1859,6 @@ static void alx_remove(struct pci_dev *pdev)
 	struct alx_priv *alx = pci_get_drvdata(pdev);
 	struct alx_hw *hw = &alx->hw;
 
-	cancel_work_sync(&alx->link_check_wk);
-	cancel_work_sync(&alx->reset_wk);
-
 	/* restore permanent mac address */
 	alx_set_macaddr(hw, hw->perm_addr);