diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-drv.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-drv.c
index d742900969ea..fac67a526a30 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-drv.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-drv.c
@@ -861,13 +861,18 @@ static void iwl_ucode_callback(const struct firmware *ucode_raw, void *context)
 
 	/* We have our copies now, allow OS release its copies */
 	release_firmware(ucode_raw);
-	complete(&drv->request_firmware_complete);
 
 	drv->op_mode = iwl_dvm_ops.start(drv->trans, drv->cfg, &drv->fw);
 
 	if (!drv->op_mode)
-		goto out_free_fw;
+		goto out_unbind;
 
+	/*
+	 * Complete the firmware request last so that
+	 * a driver unbind (stop) doesn't run while we
+	 * are doing the start() above.
+	 */
+	complete(&drv->request_firmware_complete);
 	return;
 
  try_again: