diff --git a/net/ethtool/module.c b/net/ethtool/module.c
index 741f6fb25d45..392c03935e5e 100644
--- a/net/ethtool/module.c
+++ b/net/ethtool/module.c
@@ -319,8 +319,6 @@ module_flash_fw_schedule(struct net_device *dev, const char *file_name,
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto err_release_firmware;
 
-	dev->ethtool->module_fw_flash_in_progress = true;
-	netdev_hold(dev, &module_fw->dev_tracker, GFP_KERNEL);
 	fw_update->dev = dev;
 	fw_update->ntf_params.portid = info->snd_portid;
 	fw_update->ntf_params.seq = info->snd_seq;
@@ -335,6 +333,9 @@ module_flash_fw_schedule(struct net_device *dev, const char *file_name,
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto err_release_firmware;
 
+	dev->ethtool->module_fw_flash_in_progress = true;
+	netdev_hold(dev, &module_fw->dev_tracker, GFP_KERNEL);
+
 	schedule_work(&module_fw->work);
 
 	return 0;