diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/main.c
index 3cc99f3f7ab5728af8eeb40c759f954a319671b7..980ae70ea424f6dc50a93734446536588bea9734 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/main.c
@@ -639,8 +639,8 @@ init:
 		if (err)
 			goto unlock;
 	} else {
-		err = carl9170_mod_virtual_mac(ar, vif_id, vif->addr);
 		rcu_read_unlock();
+		err = carl9170_mod_virtual_mac(ar, vif_id, vif->addr);
 
 		if (err)
 			goto unlock;