diff --git a/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c b/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
index 50f567a88f45..3231ec628544 100644
--- a/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
+++ b/net/xfrm/xfrm_device.c
@@ -383,6 +383,7 @@ static int xfrm_dev_event(struct notifier_block *this, unsigned long event, void
 		return xfrm_dev_feat_change(dev);
 
 	case NETDEV_DOWN:
+	case NETDEV_UNREGISTER:
 		return xfrm_dev_down(dev);
 	}
 	return NOTIFY_DONE;