diff --git a/drivers/net/ucc_geth.c b/drivers/net/ucc_geth.c
index cf6653f..acbdab3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ucc_geth.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ucc_geth.c
@@ -2050,12 +2050,16 @@
 
 	ugeth_vdbg("%s: IN", __func__);
 
+	/*
+	 * Tell the kernel the link is down.
+	 * Must be done before disabling the controller
+	 * or deadlock may happen.
+	 */
+	phy_stop(phydev);
+
 	/* Disable the controller */
 	ugeth_disable(ugeth, COMM_DIR_RX_AND_TX);
 
-	/* Tell the kernel the link is down */
-	phy_stop(phydev);
-
 	/* Mask all interrupts */
 	out_be32(ugeth->uccf->p_uccm, 0x00000000);