diff --git a/net/batman-adv/main.c b/net/batman-adv/main.c
index ced76942f33c..3b9fa861be7b 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/main.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/main.c
@@ -295,6 +295,11 @@ void batadv_mesh_free(struct net_device *mesh_iface)
 
 	WRITE_ONCE(bat_priv->mesh_state, BATADV_MESH_DEACTIVATING);
 
+	/* the originator purge worker accesses (among others) the TT tables
+	 * and must therefore be stopped before any of them are freed
+	 */
+	disable_delayed_work_sync(&bat_priv->orig_work);
+
 	batadv_purge_outstanding_packets(bat_priv, NULL);
 	batadv_tp_stop_all(bat_priv);