diff --git a/crypto/algapi.c b/crypto/algapi.c
index 2d0a1c64ce39..d2627a3d4ed8 100644
--- a/crypto/algapi.c
+++ b/crypto/algapi.c
@@ -525,12 +525,12 @@ int crypto_register_instance(struct crypto_template *tmpl,
 	if (err)
 		return err;
 
-	if (unlikely(!crypto_mod_get(&inst->alg)))
-		return -EAGAIN;
-
 	inst->alg.cra_module = tmpl->module;
 	inst->alg.cra_flags |= CRYPTO_ALG_INSTANCE;
 
+	if (unlikely(!crypto_mod_get(&inst->alg)))
+		return -EAGAIN;
+
 	down_write(&crypto_alg_sem);
 
 	larval = __crypto_register_alg(&inst->alg);