iwl_dbgfs_unregister(priv);
        sysfs_remove_group(&pdev->dev.kobj, &iwl4965_attribute_group);
 
+       /* ieee80211_unregister_hw call wil cause iwl4965_mac_stop to
+        * to be called and iwl4965_down since we are removing the device
+        * we need to set STATUS_EXIT_PENDING bit.
+        */
+       set_bit(STATUS_EXIT_PENDING, &priv->status);
        if (priv->mac80211_registered) {
                ieee80211_unregister_hw(priv->hw);
                priv->mac80211_registered = 0;
+       } else {
+               iwl4965_down(priv);
        }
 
-       set_bit(STATUS_EXIT_PENDING, &priv->status);
-
-       iwl4965_down(priv);
-
        /* make sure we flush any pending irq or
         * tasklet for the driver
         */