diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/allwinner/sun4i-emac.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/allwinner/sun4i-emac.c
index 28460676b8ca..d81e7167a8b5 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/allwinner/sun4i-emac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/allwinner/sun4i-emac.c
@@ -736,6 +736,7 @@ static int emac_open(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	ret = emac_mdio_probe(dev);
 	if (ret < 0) {
+		free_irq(dev->irq, dev);
 		netdev_err(dev, "cannot probe MDIO bus\n");
 		return ret;
 	}