diff --git a/mt7996/main.c b/mt7996/main.c
index 1f61a84e..953a9550 100644
--- a/mt7996/main.c
+++ b/mt7996/main.c
@@ -68,11 +68,13 @@ static int mt7996_start(struct ieee80211_hw *hw)
 
 static void mt7996_stop_phy(struct mt7996_phy *phy)
 {
-	struct mt7996_dev *dev = phy->dev;
+	struct mt7996_dev *dev;
 
 	if (!phy || !test_bit(MT76_STATE_RUNNING, &phy->mt76->state))
 		return;
 
+	dev = phy->dev;
+
 	cancel_delayed_work_sync(&phy->mt76->mac_work);
 
 	mutex_lock(&dev->mt76.mutex);