diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index 79869f2b570c..ba399a660573 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -2497,6 +2497,10 @@ static int gsm_activate_mux(struct gsm_mux *gsm)
 	struct gsm_dlci *dlci;
 	int ret;
 
+	dlci = gsm_dlci_alloc(gsm, 0);
+	if (dlci == NULL)
+		return -ENOMEM;
+
 	timer_setup(&gsm->kick_timer, gsm_kick_timer, 0);
 	timer_setup(&gsm->t2_timer, gsm_control_retransmit, 0);
 	INIT_WORK(&gsm->tx_work, gsmld_write_task);
@@ -2513,9 +2517,6 @@ static int gsm_activate_mux(struct gsm_mux *gsm)
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
 
-	dlci = gsm_dlci_alloc(gsm, 0);
-	if (dlci == NULL)
-		return -ENOMEM;
 	gsm->has_devices = true;
 	gsm->dead = false;		/* Tty opens are now permissible */
 	return 0;