diff --git a/net/mac802154/scan.c b/net/mac802154/scan.c
index 65089826ff59..005338f89b75 100644
--- a/net/mac802154/scan.c
+++ b/net/mac802154/scan.c
@@ -415,6 +415,7 @@ void mac802154_beacon_worker(struct work_struct *work)
 		container_of(work, struct ieee802154_local, beacon_work.work);
 	struct cfg802154_beacon_request *beacon_req;
 	struct ieee802154_sub_if_data *sdata;
+	netdevice_tracker dev_tracker;
 	struct wpan_dev *wpan_dev;
 	u8 interval;
 	int ret;
@@ -427,12 +428,14 @@ void mac802154_beacon_worker(struct work_struct *work)
 	}
 
 	sdata = IEEE802154_WPAN_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(beacon_req->wpan_dev);
+	netdev_hold(sdata->dev, &dev_tracker, GFP_ATOMIC);
 
 	/* Wait an arbitrary amount of time in case we cannot use the device */
 	if (local->suspended || !ieee802154_sdata_running(sdata)) {
 		rcu_read_unlock();
 		queue_delayed_work(local->mac_wq, &local->beacon_work,
 				   msecs_to_jiffies(1000));
+		netdev_put(sdata->dev, &dev_tracker);
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -450,6 +453,7 @@ void mac802154_beacon_worker(struct work_struct *work)
 	if (interval < IEEE802154_ACTIVE_SCAN_DURATION)
 		queue_delayed_work(local->mac_wq, &local->beacon_work,
 				   local->beacon_interval);
+	netdev_put(sdata->dev, &dev_tracker);
 }
 
 int mac802154_stop_beacons_locked(struct ieee802154_local *local,