diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
index 567ee54504bc..5e5022fa1d04 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/atheros/alx/main.c
@@ -1897,13 +1897,19 @@ static int alx_resume(struct device *dev)
 	struct pci_dev *pdev = to_pci_dev(dev);
 	struct alx_priv *alx = pci_get_drvdata(pdev);
 	struct alx_hw *hw = &alx->hw;
+	int err;
 
 	alx_reset_phy(hw);
 
 	if (!netif_running(alx->dev))
 		return 0;
 	netif_device_attach(alx->dev);
-	return __alx_open(alx, true);
+
+	rtnl_lock();
+	err = __alx_open(alx, true);
+	rtnl_unlock();
+
+	return err;
 }
 
 static SIMPLE_DEV_PM_OPS(alx_pm_ops, alx_suspend, alx_resume);