diff --git a/drivers/scsi/st.c b/drivers/scsi/st.c
index 2a32036a9404..fa9811200c9d 100644
--- a/drivers/scsi/st.c
+++ b/drivers/scsi/st.c
@@ -1262,9 +1262,9 @@ static int st_open(struct inode *inode, struct file *filp)
 	spin_lock(&st_use_lock);
 	STp->in_use = 0;
 	spin_unlock(&st_use_lock);
-	scsi_tape_put(STp);
 	if (resumed)
 		scsi_autopm_put_device(STp->device);
+	scsi_tape_put(STp);
 	return retval;
 
 }