diff --git a/drivers/bluetooth/btmrvl_sdio.c b/drivers/bluetooth/btmrvl_sdio.c
index b9a811900f6a..7c097629e593 100644
--- a/drivers/bluetooth/btmrvl_sdio.c
+++ b/drivers/bluetooth/btmrvl_sdio.c
@@ -1071,8 +1071,6 @@ static int btmrvl_sdio_download_fw(struct btmrvl_sdio_card *card)
 		}
 	}
 
-	sdio_release_host(card->func);
-
 	/*
 	 * winner or not, with this test the FW synchronizes when the
 	 * module can continue its initialization
@@ -1082,6 +1080,8 @@ static int btmrvl_sdio_download_fw(struct btmrvl_sdio_card *card)
 		return -ETIMEDOUT;
 	}
 
+	sdio_release_host(card->func);
+
 	return 0;
 
 done: