diff --git a/drivers/net/can/m_can/m_can.c b/drivers/net/can/m_can/m_can.c
index 66221fdf785f..97666a759595 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/m_can/m_can.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/m_can/m_can.c
@@ -1600,7 +1600,6 @@ static int m_can_close(struct net_device *dev)
 	netif_stop_queue(dev);
 
 	m_can_stop(dev);
-	m_can_clk_stop(cdev);
 	free_irq(dev->irq, dev);
 
 	if (cdev->is_peripheral) {
@@ -1614,6 +1613,7 @@ static int m_can_close(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	close_candev(dev);
 
+	m_can_clk_stop(cdev);
 	phy_power_off(cdev->transceiver);
 
 	return 0;