diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
index 7d2a327cbeea..36e46378a2fa 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
@@ -951,6 +951,7 @@ error:
 
 error_module_put:
 	module_put(d->driver->owner);
+	d->driver = NULL;
 error_put_device:
 	put_device(d);
 	if (ndev_owner != bus->owner)