diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
index d0435c7631ff..9c938f9892b2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
@@ -618,10 +618,9 @@ err_free_chan:
 	sl->tty = NULL;
 	tty->disc_data = NULL;
 	clear_bit(SLF_INUSE, &sl->flags);
-	slc_free_netdev(sl->dev);
 	/* do not call free_netdev before rtnl_unlock */
 	rtnl_unlock();
-	free_netdev(sl->dev);
+	slc_free_netdev(sl->dev);
 	return err;
 
 err_exit: