diff --git a/drivers/net/macb.c b/drivers/net/macb.c
index 1d210ed46130..10fcea59755e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/macb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/macb.c
@@ -1257,6 +1257,8 @@ static int __exit macb_remove(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	if (dev) {
 		bp = netdev_priv(dev);
+		if (bp->phy_dev)
+			phy_disconnect(bp->phy_dev);
 		mdiobus_unregister(&bp->mii_bus);
 		kfree(bp->mii_bus.irq);
 		unregister_netdev(dev);