diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/lan78xx.c b/drivers/net/usb/lan78xx.c
index b18afd2c7aee..ee3c13bbf6c0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/lan78xx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/lan78xx.c
@@ -2387,6 +2387,7 @@ static int lan78xx_phy_init(struct lan78xx_net *dev)
 		if (dev->chipid == ID_REV_CHIP_ID_7801_) {
 			if (phy_is_pseudo_fixed_link(phydev)) {
 				fixed_phy_unregister(phydev);
+				phy_device_free(phydev);
 			} else {
 				phy_unregister_fixup_for_uid(PHY_KSZ9031RNX,
 							     0xfffffff0);
@@ -4246,8 +4247,10 @@ static void lan78xx_disconnect(struct usb_interface *intf)
 
 	phy_disconnect(net->phydev);
 
-	if (phy_is_pseudo_fixed_link(phydev))
+	if (phy_is_pseudo_fixed_link(phydev)) {
 		fixed_phy_unregister(phydev);
+		phy_device_free(phydev);
+	}
 
 	usb_scuttle_anchored_urbs(&dev->deferred);