diff --git a/drivers/char/amiserial.c b/drivers/char/amiserial.c
index 6c32fbf07164..56b27671adc4 100644
--- a/drivers/char/amiserial.c
+++ b/drivers/char/amiserial.c
@@ -2021,8 +2021,6 @@ static int __init rs_init(void)
 	state->baud_base = amiga_colorclock;
 	state->xmit_fifo_size = 1;
 
-	local_irq_save(flags);
-
 	/* set ISRs, and then disable the rx interrupts */
 	error = request_irq(IRQ_AMIGA_TBE, ser_tx_int, 0, "serial TX", state);
 	if (error)
@@ -2033,6 +2031,8 @@ static int __init rs_init(void)
 	if (error)
 		goto fail_free_irq;
 
+	local_irq_save(flags);
+
 	/* turn off Rx and Tx interrupts */
 	custom.intena = IF_RBF | IF_TBE;
 	mb();