diff --git a/drivers/mtd/sm_ftl.c b/drivers/mtd/sm_ftl.c
index b9f272408c4d..2fedae67c07c 100644
--- a/drivers/mtd/sm_ftl.c
+++ b/drivers/mtd/sm_ftl.c
@@ -1098,9 +1098,9 @@ static void sm_release(struct mtd_blktrans_dev *dev)
 {
 	struct sm_ftl *ftl = dev->priv;
 
-	mutex_lock(&ftl->mutex);
 	del_timer_sync(&ftl->timer);
 	cancel_work_sync(&ftl->flush_work);
+	mutex_lock(&ftl->mutex);
 	sm_cache_flush(ftl);
 	mutex_unlock(&ftl->mutex);
 }