diff --git a/drivers/net/qla3xxx.c b/drivers/net/qla3xxx.c
index b7f7b2227d56..bccee68bd48a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/qla3xxx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/qla3xxx.c
@@ -3701,7 +3701,9 @@ static int ql_cycle_adapter(struct ql3_adapter *qdev, int reset)
 		printk(KERN_ERR PFX
 				"%s: Driver up/down cycle failed, "
 				"closing device\n",qdev->ndev->name);
+		rtnl_lock();
 		dev_close(qdev->ndev);
+		rtnl_unlock();
 		return -1;
 	}
 	return 0;