diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/hso.c b/drivers/net/usb/hso.c
index 746839b..43bc3fc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/hso.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/hso.c
@@ -1363,7 +1363,7 @@
 	/* reset the rts and dtr */
 	/* do the actual close */
 	serial->open_count--;
-	kref_put(&serial->parent->ref, hso_serial_ref_free);
+
 	if (serial->open_count <= 0) {
 		serial->open_count = 0;
 		spin_lock_irq(&serial->serial_lock);
@@ -1383,6 +1383,8 @@
 		usb_autopm_put_interface(serial->parent->interface);
 
 	mutex_unlock(&serial->parent->mutex);
+
+	kref_put(&serial->parent->ref, hso_serial_ref_free);
 }
 
 /* close the requested serial port */