diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan/slcan-core.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan/slcan-core.c
index fbb34139daa1..f4db77007c13 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan/slcan-core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan/slcan-core.c
@@ -864,12 +864,14 @@ static void slcan_close(struct tty_struct *tty)
 {
 	struct slcan *sl = (struct slcan *)tty->disc_data;
 
-	/* unregister_netdev() calls .ndo_stop() so we don't have to.
-	 * Our .ndo_stop() also flushes the TTY write wakeup handler,
-	 * so we can safely set sl->tty = NULL after this.
-	 */
 	unregister_candev(sl->dev);
 
+	/*
+	 * The netdev needn't be UP (so .ndo_stop() is not called). Hence make
+	 * sure this is not running before freeing it up.
+	 */
+	flush_work(&sl->tx_work);
+
 	/* Mark channel as dead */
 	spin_lock_bh(&sl->lock);
 	tty->disc_data = NULL;