diff --git a/drivers/net/irda/irda-usb.c b/drivers/net/irda/irda-usb.c
index c6355c0..9081234 100644
--- a/drivers/net/irda/irda-usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/irda/irda-usb.c
@@ -1168,6 +1168,7 @@
 static int irda_usb_net_open(struct net_device *netdev)
 {
 	struct irda_usb_cb *self;
+	unsigned long flags;
 	char	hwname[16];
 	int i;
 	
@@ -1177,13 +1178,16 @@
 	self = (struct irda_usb_cb *) netdev->priv;
 	IRDA_ASSERT(self != NULL, return -1;);
 
+	spin_lock_irqsave(&self->lock, flags);
 	/* Can only open the device if it's there */
 	if(!self->present) {
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&self->lock, flags);
 		IRDA_WARNING("%s(), device not present!\n", __FUNCTION__);
 		return -1;
 	}
 
 	if(self->needspatch) {
+		spin_unlock_irqrestore(&self->lock, flags);
 		IRDA_WARNING("%s(), device needs patch\n", __FUNCTION__) ;
 		return -EIO ;
 	}
@@ -1198,6 +1202,7 @@
 	/* To do *before* submitting Rx urbs and starting net Tx queue
 	 * Jean II */
 	self->netopen = 1;
+	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&self->lock, flags);
 
 	/* 
 	 * Now that everything should be initialized properly,