diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
index 6598a4cba158..7a8324d2a968 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
@@ -833,13 +833,11 @@ int usbnet_stop (struct net_device *net)
 
 	mpn = !test_and_clear_bit(EVENT_NO_RUNTIME_PM, &dev->flags);
 
-	/* deferred work (task, timer, softirq) must also stop.
-	 * can't flush_scheduled_work() until we drop rtnl (later),
-	 * else workers could deadlock; so make workers a NOP.
-	 */
+	/* deferred work (timer, softirq, task) must also stop */
 	dev->flags = 0;
 	del_timer_sync (&dev->delay);
 	tasklet_kill (&dev->bh);
+	cancel_work_sync(&dev->kevent);
 	if (!pm)
 		usb_autopm_put_interface(dev->intf);
 
@@ -1603,8 +1601,6 @@ void usbnet_disconnect (struct usb_interface *intf)
 	net = dev->net;
 	unregister_netdev (net);
 
-	cancel_work_sync(&dev->kevent);
-
 	usb_scuttle_anchored_urbs(&dev->deferred);
 
 	if (dev->driver_info->unbind)