diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtlwifi/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtlwifi/usb.c
index c2a3c88ea1fc..038d9bb652b6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtlwifi/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/realtek/rtlwifi/usb.c
@@ -1073,13 +1073,15 @@ int rtl_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
 	err = ieee80211_register_hw(hw);
 	if (err) {
 		pr_err("Can't register mac80211 hw.\n");
-		goto error_out;
+		goto error_init_vars;
 	}
 	rtlpriv->mac80211.mac80211_registered = 1;
 
 	set_bit(RTL_STATUS_INTERFACE_START, &rtlpriv->status);
 	return 0;
 
+error_init_vars:
+	wait_for_completion(&rtlpriv->firmware_loading_complete);
 error_out:
 	rtl_deinit_core(hw);
 error_out2: