diff --git a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
index 8dedafa..07f0e49 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ppp/ppp_generic.c
@@ -2601,8 +2601,6 @@ ppp_unregister_channel(struct ppp_channel *chan)
 	spin_lock_bh(&pn->all_channels_lock);
 	list_del(&pch->list);
 	spin_unlock_bh(&pn->all_channels_lock);
-	put_net(pch->chan_net);
-	pch->chan_net = NULL;
 
 	pch->file.dead = 1;
 	wake_up_interruptible(&pch->file.rwait);
@@ -3136,6 +3134,11 @@ ppp_disconnect_channel(struct channel *pch)
  */
 static void ppp_destroy_channel(struct channel *pch)
 {
+	if (pch->chan_net) {
+		put_net(pch->chan_net);
+		pch->chan_net = NULL;
+	}
+
 	atomic_dec(&channel_count);
 
 	if (!pch->file.dead) {