diff --git a/net/netfilter/xt_IDLETIMER.c b/net/netfilter/xt_IDLETIMER.c
index 4a2d853a90b2..ada5a304e61e 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/xt_IDLETIMER.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/xt_IDLETIMER.c
@@ -454,9 +454,9 @@ static void idletimer_tg_destroy(const struct xt_tgdtor_param *par)
 
 		list_del(&info->timer->entry);
 		del_timer_sync(&info->timer->timer);
-		cancel_work_sync(&info->timer->work);
 		sysfs_remove_file(idletimer_tg_kobj, &info->timer->attr.attr);
 		unregister_pm_notifier(&info->timer->pm_nb);
+		cancel_work_sync(&info->timer->work);
 		kfree(info->timer->attr.attr.name);
 		kfree(info->timer);
 	} else {