diff --git a/drivers/net/can/grcan.c b/drivers/net/can/grcan.c
index db9538d4b358..bebe096ec657 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/grcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/grcan.c
@@ -1117,8 +1117,10 @@ static int grcan_close(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	priv->closing = true;
 	if (priv->need_txbug_workaround) {
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&priv->lock, flags);
 		del_timer_sync(&priv->hang_timer);
 		del_timer_sync(&priv->rr_timer);
+		spin_lock_irqsave(&priv->lock, flags);
 	}
 	netif_stop_queue(dev);
 	grcan_stop_hardware(dev);