diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/mellanox/mlx5/core/en_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/mellanox/mlx5/core/en_main.c
index 081f15074cac42..31f9ecae98df9a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/mellanox/mlx5/core/en_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/mellanox/mlx5/core/en_main.c
@@ -5390,6 +5390,8 @@ int mlx5e_attach_netdev(struct mlx5e_priv *priv)
 	profile->cleanup_tx(priv);
 
 out:
+	set_bit(MLX5E_STATE_DESTROYING, &priv->state);
+	cancel_work_sync(&priv->update_stats_work);
 	return err;
 }