diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
index 355be77..3cf4dc3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/smsc95xx.c
@@ -1324,7 +1324,7 @@
 	struct smsc95xx_priv *pdata = (struct smsc95xx_priv *)(dev->data[0]);
 
 	if (pdata) {
-		cancel_delayed_work(&pdata->carrier_check);
+		cancel_delayed_work_sync(&pdata->carrier_check);
 		netif_dbg(dev, ifdown, dev->net, "free pdata\n");
 		kfree(pdata);
 		pdata = NULL;