diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
index 2359478b977f..8ab6bdbe1682 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
@@ -4192,7 +4192,6 @@ static void bond_destructor(struct net_device *bond_dev)
 	struct bonding *bond = netdev_priv(bond_dev);
 	if (bond->wq)
 		destroy_workqueue(bond->wq);
-	free_netdev(bond_dev);
 }
 
 void bond_setup(struct net_device *bond_dev)
@@ -4212,7 +4211,8 @@ void bond_setup(struct net_device *bond_dev)
 	bond_dev->netdev_ops = &bond_netdev_ops;
 	bond_dev->ethtool_ops = &bond_ethtool_ops;
 
-	bond_dev->destructor = bond_destructor;
+	bond_dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	bond_dev->priv_destructor = bond_destructor;
 
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(bond_dev, &bond_type);
 
@@ -4736,7 +4736,7 @@ int bond_create(struct net *net, const char *name)
 
 	rtnl_unlock();
 	if (res < 0)
-		bond_destructor(bond_dev);
+		free_netdev(bond_dev);
 	return res;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/caif/caif_hsi.c b/drivers/net/caif/caif_hsi.c
index ddabce759456..71a7c3b44fdd 100644
--- a/drivers/net/caif/caif_hsi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/caif/caif_hsi.c
@@ -1121,7 +1121,7 @@ static void cfhsi_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->flags = IFF_POINTOPOINT | IFF_NOARP;
 	dev->mtu = CFHSI_MAX_CAIF_FRAME_SZ;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	dev->netdev_ops = &cfhsi_netdevops;
 	for (i = 0; i < CFHSI_PRIO_LAST; ++i)
 		skb_queue_head_init(&cfhsi->qhead[i]);
diff --git a/drivers/net/caif/caif_serial.c b/drivers/net/caif/caif_serial.c
index c2dea4916e5d..76e1d3545105 100644
--- a/drivers/net/caif/caif_serial.c
+++ b/drivers/net/caif/caif_serial.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static void caifdev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->flags = IFF_POINTOPOINT | IFF_NOARP;
 	dev->mtu = CAIF_MAX_MTU;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	skb_queue_head_init(&serdev->head);
 	serdev->common.link_select = CAIF_LINK_LOW_LATENCY;
 	serdev->common.use_frag = true;
diff --git a/drivers/net/caif/caif_spi.c b/drivers/net/caif/caif_spi.c
index 3a529fbe539f..fc21afe852b9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/caif/caif_spi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/caif/caif_spi.c
@@ -712,7 +712,7 @@ static void cfspi_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->flags = IFF_NOARP | IFF_POINTOPOINT;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->mtu = SPI_MAX_PAYLOAD_SIZE;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	skb_queue_head_init(&cfspi->qhead);
 	skb_queue_head_init(&cfspi->chead);
 	cfspi->cfdev.link_select = CAIF_LINK_HIGH_BANDW;
diff --git a/drivers/net/caif/caif_virtio.c b/drivers/net/caif/caif_virtio.c
index 6122768c8644..1794ea0420b7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/caif/caif_virtio.c
+++ b/drivers/net/caif/caif_virtio.c
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ static void cfv_netdev_setup(struct net_device *netdev)
 	netdev->tx_queue_len = 100;
 	netdev->flags = IFF_POINTOPOINT | IFF_NOARP;
 	netdev->mtu = CFV_DEF_MTU_SIZE;
-	netdev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	netdev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 }
 
 /* Create debugfs counters for the device */
diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
index eb7173713bbc..6a6e896e52fa 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ static int slc_open(struct net_device *dev)
 static void slc_free_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	int i = dev->base_addr;
-	free_netdev(dev);
+
 	slcan_devs[i] = NULL;
 }
 
@@ -436,7 +436,8 @@ static const struct net_device_ops slc_netdev_ops = {
 static void slc_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &slc_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= slc_free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
+	dev->priv_destructor	= slc_free_netdev;
 
 	dev->hard_header_len	= 0;
 	dev->addr_len		= 0;
@@ -761,8 +762,6 @@ static void __exit slcan_exit(void)
 		if (sl->tty) {
 			printk(KERN_ERR "%s: tty discipline still running\n",
 			       dev->name);
-			/* Intentionally leak the control block. */
-			dev->destructor = NULL;
 		}
 
 		unregister_netdev(dev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/can/vcan.c b/drivers/net/can/vcan.c
index facca33d53e9..0eda1b308583 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/vcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/vcan.c
@@ -163,7 +163,7 @@ static void vcan_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 		dev->flags |= IFF_ECHO;
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &vcan_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 static struct rtnl_link_ops vcan_link_ops __read_mostly = {
diff --git a/drivers/net/can/vxcan.c b/drivers/net/can/vxcan.c
index 7fbb24795681..30cf2368becf 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/vxcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/vxcan.c
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ static void vxcan_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->tx_queue_len	= 0;
 	dev->flags		= (IFF_NOARP|IFF_ECHO);
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &vxcan_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 /* forward declaration for rtnl_create_link() */
diff --git a/drivers/net/dummy.c b/drivers/net/dummy.c
index 149244aac20a..9905b52fe293 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dummy.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dummy.c
@@ -328,7 +328,6 @@ static void dummy_free_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct dummy_priv *priv = netdev_priv(dev);
 
 	kfree(priv->vfinfo);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void dummy_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -338,7 +337,8 @@ static void dummy_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	/* Initialize the device structure. */
 	dev->netdev_ops = &dummy_netdev_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &dummy_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor = dummy_free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = dummy_free_netdev;
 
 	/* Fill in device structure with ethernet-generic values. */
 	dev->flags |= IFF_NOARP;
diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/chelsio/cxgb4/cxgb4_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/chelsio/cxgb4/cxgb4_main.c
index 77ed2f628f9c..ea1bfcf1870a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/chelsio/cxgb4/cxgb4_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/chelsio/cxgb4/cxgb4_main.c
@@ -4525,7 +4525,7 @@ static void dummy_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	/* Initialize the device structure. */
 	dev->netdev_ops = &cxgb4_mgmt_netdev_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &cxgb4_mgmt_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 }
 
 static int config_mgmt_dev(struct pci_dev *pdev)
diff --git a/drivers/net/geneve.c b/drivers/net/geneve.c
index 6ebb0f559a42..199459bd6961 100644
--- a/drivers/net/geneve.c
+++ b/drivers/net/geneve.c
@@ -1007,7 +1007,7 @@ static void geneve_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &geneve_netdev_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &geneve_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(dev, &geneve_type);
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/gtp.c b/drivers/net/gtp.c
index 7b652bb7ebe4..ca110cd2a4e4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/gtp.c
+++ b/drivers/net/gtp.c
@@ -611,7 +611,7 @@ static const struct net_device_ops gtp_netdev_ops = {
 static void gtp_link_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &gtp_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 
 	dev->hard_header_len = 0;
 	dev->addr_len = 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
index 922bf440e9f1..021a8ec411ab 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/6pack.c
@@ -311,7 +311,7 @@ static void sp_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	/* Finish setting up the DEVICE info. */
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &sp_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->mtu		= SIXP_MTU;
 	dev->hard_header_len	= AX25_MAX_HEADER_LEN;
 	dev->header_ops 	= &ax25_header_ops;
diff --git a/drivers/net/hamradio/bpqether.c b/drivers/net/hamradio/bpqether.c
index f62e7f325cf9..78a6414c5fd9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/hamradio/bpqether.c
+++ b/drivers/net/hamradio/bpqether.c
@@ -476,7 +476,7 @@ static const struct net_device_ops bpq_netdev_ops = {
 static void bpq_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops	     = &bpq_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor	     = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	memcpy(dev->broadcast, &ax25_bcast, AX25_ADDR_LEN);
 	memcpy(dev->dev_addr,  &ax25_defaddr, AX25_ADDR_LEN);
diff --git a/drivers/net/ifb.c b/drivers/net/ifb.c
index 312fce7302d3..144ea5ae8ab4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ifb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ifb.c
@@ -207,7 +207,6 @@ static void ifb_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 		__skb_queue_purge(&txp->tq);
 	}
 	kfree(dp->tx_private);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void ifb_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -230,7 +229,8 @@ static void ifb_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING;
 	netif_keep_dst(dev);
 	eth_hw_addr_random(dev);
-	dev->destructor = ifb_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ifb_dev_free;
 }
 
 static netdev_tx_t ifb_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb, struct net_device *dev)
diff --git a/drivers/net/ipvlan/ipvlan_main.c b/drivers/net/ipvlan/ipvlan_main.c
index 618ed88fad0f..7c7680c8f0e3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ipvlan/ipvlan_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ipvlan/ipvlan_main.c
@@ -632,7 +632,7 @@ void ipvlan_link_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->priv_flags &= ~(IFF_XMIT_DST_RELEASE | IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING);
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_UNICAST_FLT | IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ipvlan_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	dev->header_ops = &ipvlan_header_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &ipvlan_ethtool_ops;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/loopback.c b/drivers/net/loopback.c
index 224f65cb576b..30612497643c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/loopback.c
+++ b/drivers/net/loopback.c
@@ -159,7 +159,6 @@ static void loopback_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev_net(dev)->loopback_dev = NULL;
 	free_percpu(dev->lstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static const struct net_device_ops loopback_ops = {
@@ -196,7 +195,8 @@ static void loopback_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->ethtool_ops	= &loopback_ethtool_ops;
 	dev->header_ops		= &eth_header_ops;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &loopback_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= loopback_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
+	dev->priv_destructor	= loopback_dev_free;
 }
 
 /* Setup and register the loopback device. */
diff --git a/drivers/net/macsec.c b/drivers/net/macsec.c
index cdc347be68f2..79411675f0e6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/macsec.c
+++ b/drivers/net/macsec.c
@@ -2996,7 +2996,6 @@ static void macsec_free_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 	free_percpu(macsec->secy.tx_sc.stats);
 
 	dev_put(real_dev);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void macsec_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -3006,7 +3005,8 @@ static void macsec_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->max_mtu = ETH_MAX_MTU;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->netdev_ops = &macsec_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = macsec_free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = macsec_free_netdev;
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(dev, &macsec_type);
 
 	eth_zero_addr(dev->broadcast);
diff --git a/drivers/net/macvlan.c b/drivers/net/macvlan.c
index 346ad2ff3998..67bf7ebae5c6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/macvlan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/macvlan.c
@@ -1092,7 +1092,7 @@ void macvlan_common_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	netif_keep_dst(dev);
 	dev->priv_flags	       |= IFF_UNICAST_FLT;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &macvlan_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->header_ops		= &macvlan_hard_header_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops	= &macvlan_ethtool_ops;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/nlmon.c b/drivers/net/nlmon.c
index b91603835d26..c4b3362da4a2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/nlmon.c
+++ b/drivers/net/nlmon.c
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ static void nlmon_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dev->netdev_ops	= &nlmon_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &nlmon_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor	= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	dev->features = NETIF_F_SG | NETIF_F_FRAGLIST |
 			NETIF_F_HIGHDMA | NETIF_F_LLTX;
diff --git a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
index 1da31dc47f86..74b907206aa7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
+++ b/drivers/net/slip/slip.c
@@ -629,7 +629,7 @@ static void sl_uninit(struct net_device *dev)
 static void sl_free_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	int i = dev->base_addr;
-	free_netdev(dev);
+
 	slip_devs[i] = NULL;
 }
 
@@ -651,7 +651,8 @@ static const struct net_device_ops sl_netdev_ops = {
 static void sl_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &sl_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= sl_free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
+	dev->priv_destructor	= sl_free_netdev;
 
 	dev->hard_header_len	= 0;
 	dev->addr_len		= 0;
@@ -1369,8 +1370,6 @@ static void __exit slip_exit(void)
 		if (sl->tty) {
 			printk(KERN_ERR "%s: tty discipline still running\n",
 			       dev->name);
-			/* Intentionally leak the control block. */
-			dev->destructor = NULL;
 		}
 
 		unregister_netdev(dev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/team/team.c b/drivers/net/team/team.c
index 6c5d5ef46f75..fba8c136aa7c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/team/team.c
+++ b/drivers/net/team/team.c
@@ -1643,7 +1643,6 @@ static void team_destructor(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct team *team = netdev_priv(dev);
 
 	free_percpu(team->pcpu_stats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static int team_open(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -2079,7 +2078,8 @@ static void team_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &team_netdev_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &team_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor	= team_destructor;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = team_destructor;
 	dev->priv_flags &= ~(IFF_XMIT_DST_RELEASE | IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING);
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_TEAM;
diff --git a/drivers/net/tun.c b/drivers/net/tun.c
index bbd707b9ef7a..9ee7d4275640 100644
--- a/drivers/net/tun.c
+++ b/drivers/net/tun.c
@@ -1560,7 +1560,6 @@ static void tun_free_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 	free_percpu(tun->pcpu_stats);
 	tun_flow_uninit(tun);
 	security_tun_dev_free_security(tun->security);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void tun_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -1571,7 +1570,8 @@ static void tun_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	tun->group = INVALID_GID;
 
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &tun_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor = tun_free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = tun_free_netdev;
 	/* We prefer our own queue length */
 	dev->tx_queue_len = TUN_READQ_SIZE;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/cdc-phonet.c b/drivers/net/usb/cdc-phonet.c
index eb52de8205f0..c7a350bbaaa7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/cdc-phonet.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/cdc-phonet.c
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ static void usbpn_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->addr_len		= 1;
 	dev->tx_queue_len	= 3;
 
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/qmi_wwan.c b/drivers/net/usb/qmi_wwan.c
index 8f923a147fa9..949671ce4039 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/qmi_wwan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/qmi_wwan.c
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ static void qmimux_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->addr_len        = 0;
 	dev->flags           = IFF_POINTOPOINT | IFF_NOARP | IFF_MULTICAST;
 	dev->netdev_ops      = &qmimux_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor      = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 }
 
 static struct net_device *qmimux_find_dev(struct usbnet *dev, u8 mux_id)
diff --git a/drivers/net/veth.c b/drivers/net/veth.c
index 38f0f03a29c8..0156fe8cac17 100644
--- a/drivers/net/veth.c
+++ b/drivers/net/veth.c
@@ -222,7 +222,6 @@ static int veth_dev_init(struct net_device *dev)
 static void veth_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	free_percpu(dev->vstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_NET_POLL_CONTROLLER
@@ -317,7 +316,8 @@ static void veth_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 			       NETIF_F_HW_VLAN_STAG_TX |
 			       NETIF_F_HW_VLAN_CTAG_RX |
 			       NETIF_F_HW_VLAN_STAG_RX);
-	dev->destructor = veth_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = veth_dev_free;
 	dev->max_mtu = ETH_MAX_MTU;
 
 	dev->hw_features = VETH_FEATURES;
diff --git a/drivers/net/vrf.c b/drivers/net/vrf.c
index db882493875c..d38f11d833fe 100644
--- a/drivers/net/vrf.c
+++ b/drivers/net/vrf.c
@@ -1348,7 +1348,7 @@ static void vrf_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->netdev_ops = &vrf_netdev_ops;
 	dev->l3mdev_ops = &vrf_l3mdev_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &vrf_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	/* Fill in device structure with ethernet-generic values. */
 	eth_hw_addr_random(dev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/vsockmon.c b/drivers/net/vsockmon.c
index 7f0136f2dd9d..c28bdce14fd5 100644
--- a/drivers/net/vsockmon.c
+++ b/drivers/net/vsockmon.c
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ static void vsockmon_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dev->netdev_ops	= &vsockmon_ops;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &vsockmon_ethtool_ops;
-	dev->destructor	= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	dev->features = NETIF_F_SG | NETIF_F_FRAGLIST |
 			NETIF_F_HIGHDMA | NETIF_F_LLTX;
diff --git a/drivers/net/vxlan.c b/drivers/net/vxlan.c
index a6b5052c1d36..5fa798a5c9a6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/vxlan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/vxlan.c
@@ -2611,7 +2611,7 @@ static void vxlan_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	eth_hw_addr_random(dev);
 	ether_setup(dev);
 
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(dev, &vxlan_type);
 
 	dev->features	|= NETIF_F_LLTX;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wan/dlci.c b/drivers/net/wan/dlci.c
index 65ee2a6f248c..a0d76f70c428 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wan/dlci.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wan/dlci.c
@@ -475,7 +475,7 @@ static void dlci_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->flags		= 0;
 	dev->header_ops		= &dlci_header_ops;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &dlci_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 
 	dlp->receive		= dlci_receive;
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wan/hdlc_fr.c b/drivers/net/wan/hdlc_fr.c
index eb915281197e..78596e42a3f3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wan/hdlc_fr.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wan/hdlc_fr.c
@@ -1106,7 +1106,7 @@ static int fr_add_pvc(struct net_device *frad, unsigned int dlci, int type)
 		return -EIO;
 	}
 
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	*get_dev_p(pvc, type) = dev;
 	if (!used) {
 		state(hdlc)->dce_changed = 1;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c b/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
index 9df9ed62beff..63f749078a1f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wan/lapbether.c
@@ -306,7 +306,7 @@ static const struct net_device_ops lapbeth_netdev_ops = {
 static void lapbeth_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops	     = &lapbeth_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor	     = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	dev->type            = ARPHRD_X25;
 	dev->hard_header_len = 3;
 	dev->mtu             = 1000;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/main.c
index 91ee542de3d7..b90c77ef792e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/main.c
@@ -1287,7 +1287,7 @@ void init_netdev(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct ath6kl *ar = ath6kl_priv(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ath6kl_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	dev->watchdog_timeo = ATH6KL_TX_TIMEOUT;
 
 	dev->needed_headroom = ETH_HLEN;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/cfg80211.c b/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/cfg80211.c
index cd1d6730eab7..617199c0e5a0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/cfg80211.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/cfg80211.c
@@ -5225,7 +5225,6 @@ void brcmf_cfg80211_free_netdev(struct net_device *ndev)
 
 	if (vif)
 		brcmf_free_vif(vif);
-	free_netdev(ndev);
 }
 
 static bool brcmf_is_linkup(const struct brcmf_event_msg *e)
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/core.c
index a3d82368f1a9..511d190c6cca 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/broadcom/brcm80211/brcmfmac/core.c
@@ -624,7 +624,8 @@ struct brcmf_if *brcmf_add_if(struct brcmf_pub *drvr, s32 bsscfgidx, s32 ifidx,
 		if (!ndev)
 			return ERR_PTR(-ENOMEM);
 
-		ndev->destructor = brcmf_cfg80211_free_netdev;
+		ndev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+		ndev->priv_destructor = brcmf_cfg80211_free_netdev;
 		ifp = netdev_priv(ndev);
 		ifp->ndev = ndev;
 		/* store mapping ifidx to bsscfgidx */
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/hostap/hostap_main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/hostap/hostap_main.c
index 544fc09dcb62..1372b20f931e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/hostap/hostap_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/intersil/hostap/hostap_main.c
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ struct net_device * hostap_add_interface(struct local_info *local,
 	dev->mem_end = mdev->mem_end;
 
 	hostap_setup_dev(dev, local, type);
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 
 	sprintf(dev->name, "%s%s", prefix, name);
 	if (!rtnl_locked)
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c b/drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c
index 002b25cff5b6..c854a557998b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/mac80211_hwsim.c
@@ -2861,7 +2861,7 @@ static const struct net_device_ops hwsim_netdev_ops = {
 static void hwsim_mon_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &hwsim_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	ether_setup(dev);
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->type = ARPHRD_IEEE80211_RADIOTAP;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
index dd87b9ff64c3..39b6b5e3f6e0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
@@ -1280,7 +1280,7 @@ void mwifiex_init_priv_params(struct mwifiex_private *priv,
 			      struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &mwifiex_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	/* Initialize private structure */
 	priv->current_key_index = 0;
 	priv->media_connected = false;
diff --git a/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/mon.c b/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/mon.c
index cfe37eb026d6..859d0d6051cd 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/mon.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/rtl8188eu/os_dep/mon.c
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ static const struct net_device_ops mon_netdev_ops = {
 static void mon_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &mon_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	ether_setup(dev);
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 	dev->type = ARPHRD_IEEE80211;
diff --git a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_phonet.c b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_phonet.c
index b4058f0000e4..6a1ce6a55158 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_phonet.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/gadget/function/f_phonet.c
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ static void pn_net_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->tx_queue_len	= 1;
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &pn_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->header_ops		= &phonet_header_ops;
 }
 
diff --git a/include/linux/netdevice.h b/include/linux/netdevice.h
index 3f39d27decf4..ab7ca3fdc495 100644
--- a/include/linux/netdevice.h
+++ b/include/linux/netdevice.h
@@ -1596,8 +1596,8 @@ enum netdev_priv_flags {
  *	@rtnl_link_state:	This enum represents the phases of creating
  *				a new link
  *
- *	@destructor:		Called from unregister,
- *				can be used to call free_netdev
+ *	@needs_free_netdev:	Should unregister perform free_netdev?
+ *	@priv_destructor:	Called from unregister
  *	@npinfo:		XXX: need comments on this one
  * 	@nd_net:		Network namespace this network device is inside
  *
@@ -1858,7 +1858,8 @@ struct net_device {
 		RTNL_LINK_INITIALIZING,
 	} rtnl_link_state:16;
 
-	void (*destructor)(struct net_device *dev);
+	bool needs_free_netdev;
+	void (*priv_destructor)(struct net_device *dev);
 
 #ifdef CONFIG_NETPOLL
 	struct netpoll_info __rcu	*npinfo;
diff --git a/net/8021q/vlan_dev.c b/net/8021q/vlan_dev.c
index 953b6728bd00..abc5f400fc71 100644
--- a/net/8021q/vlan_dev.c
+++ b/net/8021q/vlan_dev.c
@@ -813,7 +813,6 @@ static void vlan_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	free_percpu(vlan->vlan_pcpu_stats);
 	vlan->vlan_pcpu_stats = NULL;
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 void vlan_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -826,7 +825,8 @@ void vlan_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	netif_keep_dst(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &vlan_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= vlan_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
+	dev->priv_destructor	= vlan_dev_free;
 	dev->ethtool_ops	= &vlan_ethtool_ops;
 
 	dev->min_mtu		= 0;
diff --git a/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c b/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
index b25789abf7b9..10f7edfb176e 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/soft-interface.c
@@ -1034,8 +1034,6 @@ static void batadv_softif_free(struct net_device *dev)
 	 * netdev and its private data (bat_priv)
 	 */
 	rcu_barrier();
-
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1047,7 +1045,8 @@ static void batadv_softif_init_early(struct net_device *dev)
 	ether_setup(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &batadv_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = batadv_softif_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = batadv_softif_free;
 	dev->features |= NETIF_F_HW_VLAN_CTAG_FILTER | NETIF_F_NETNS_LOCAL;
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 
diff --git a/net/bluetooth/6lowpan.c b/net/bluetooth/6lowpan.c
index 608959989f8e..ab3b654b05cc 100644
--- a/net/bluetooth/6lowpan.c
+++ b/net/bluetooth/6lowpan.c
@@ -598,7 +598,7 @@ static void netdev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &netdev_ops;
 	dev->header_ops		= &header_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 static struct device_type bt_type = {
diff --git a/net/bridge/br_device.c b/net/bridge/br_device.c
index 430b53e7d941..f0f3447e8aa4 100644
--- a/net/bridge/br_device.c
+++ b/net/bridge/br_device.c
@@ -379,7 +379,7 @@ void br_dev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	ether_setup(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &br_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 	dev->ethtool_ops = &br_ethtool_ops;
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(dev, &br_type);
 	dev->priv_flags = IFF_EBRIDGE | IFF_NO_QUEUE;
diff --git a/net/caif/chnl_net.c b/net/caif/chnl_net.c
index 1816fc9f1ee7..fe3c53efb949 100644
--- a/net/caif/chnl_net.c
+++ b/net/caif/chnl_net.c
@@ -392,14 +392,14 @@ static void chnl_net_destructor(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	struct chnl_net *priv = netdev_priv(dev);
 	caif_free_client(&priv->chnl);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void ipcaif_net_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	struct chnl_net *priv;
 	dev->netdev_ops = &netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = chnl_net_destructor;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = chnl_net_destructor;
 	dev->flags |= IFF_NOARP;
 	dev->flags |= IFF_POINTOPOINT;
 	dev->mtu = GPRS_PDP_MTU;
diff --git a/net/core/dev.c b/net/core/dev.c
index 84e1e86a4bce..4c15466305c3 100644
--- a/net/core/dev.c
+++ b/net/core/dev.c
@@ -7502,6 +7502,8 @@ int register_netdevice(struct net_device *dev)
 err_uninit:
 	if (dev->netdev_ops->ndo_uninit)
 		dev->netdev_ops->ndo_uninit(dev);
+	if (dev->priv_destructor)
+		dev->priv_destructor(dev);
 	goto out;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL(register_netdevice);
@@ -7709,8 +7711,10 @@ void netdev_run_todo(void)
 		WARN_ON(rcu_access_pointer(dev->ip6_ptr));
 		WARN_ON(dev->dn_ptr);
 
-		if (dev->destructor)
-			dev->destructor(dev);
+		if (dev->priv_destructor)
+			dev->priv_destructor(dev);
+		if (dev->needs_free_netdev)
+			free_netdev(dev);
 
 		/* Report a network device has been unregistered */
 		rtnl_lock();
diff --git a/net/hsr/hsr_device.c b/net/hsr/hsr_device.c
index c73160fb11e7..0a0a392dc2bd 100644
--- a/net/hsr/hsr_device.c
+++ b/net/hsr/hsr_device.c
@@ -378,7 +378,6 @@ static void hsr_dev_destroy(struct net_device *hsr_dev)
 	del_timer_sync(&hsr->announce_timer);
 
 	synchronize_rcu();
-	free_netdev(hsr_dev);
 }
 
 static const struct net_device_ops hsr_device_ops = {
@@ -404,7 +403,8 @@ void hsr_dev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	SET_NETDEV_DEVTYPE(dev, &hsr_type);
 	dev->priv_flags |= IFF_NO_QUEUE;
 
-	dev->destructor = hsr_dev_destroy;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = hsr_dev_destroy;
 
 	dev->hw_features = NETIF_F_SG | NETIF_F_FRAGLIST | NETIF_F_HIGHDMA |
 			   NETIF_F_GSO_MASK | NETIF_F_HW_CSUM |
diff --git a/net/ieee802154/6lowpan/core.c b/net/ieee802154/6lowpan/core.c
index d7efbf0dad20..0a866f332290 100644
--- a/net/ieee802154/6lowpan/core.c
+++ b/net/ieee802154/6lowpan/core.c
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ static void lowpan_setup(struct net_device *ldev)
 
 	ldev->netdev_ops	= &lowpan_netdev_ops;
 	ldev->header_ops	= &lowpan_header_ops;
-	ldev->destructor	= free_netdev;
+	ldev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	ldev->features		|= NETIF_F_NETNS_LOCAL;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/ipv4/ip_tunnel.c b/net/ipv4/ip_tunnel.c
index b878ecbc0608..b436d0775631 100644
--- a/net/ipv4/ip_tunnel.c
+++ b/net/ipv4/ip_tunnel.c
@@ -967,7 +967,6 @@ static void ip_tunnel_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 	gro_cells_destroy(&tunnel->gro_cells);
 	dst_cache_destroy(&tunnel->dst_cache);
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 void ip_tunnel_dellink(struct net_device *dev, struct list_head *head)
@@ -1155,7 +1154,8 @@ int ip_tunnel_init(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct iphdr *iph = &tunnel->parms.iph;
 	int err;
 
-	dev->destructor	= ip_tunnel_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ip_tunnel_dev_free;
 	dev->tstats = netdev_alloc_pcpu_stats(struct pcpu_sw_netstats);
 	if (!dev->tstats)
 		return -ENOMEM;
diff --git a/net/ipv4/ipmr.c b/net/ipv4/ipmr.c
index 551de4d023a8..b4f9622ee9f5 100644
--- a/net/ipv4/ipmr.c
+++ b/net/ipv4/ipmr.c
@@ -501,7 +501,7 @@ static void reg_vif_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->mtu		= ETH_DATA_LEN - sizeof(struct iphdr) - 8;
 	dev->flags		= IFF_NOARP;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &reg_vif_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->features		|= NETIF_F_NETNS_LOCAL;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/ipv6/ip6_gre.c b/net/ipv6/ip6_gre.c
index 0c5b4caa1949..64eea3962733 100644
--- a/net/ipv6/ip6_gre.c
+++ b/net/ipv6/ip6_gre.c
@@ -991,13 +991,13 @@ static void ip6gre_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dst_cache_destroy(&t->dst_cache);
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void ip6gre_tunnel_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ip6gre_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = ip6gre_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ip6gre_dev_free;
 
 	dev->type = ARPHRD_IP6GRE;
 
@@ -1148,7 +1148,7 @@ static int __net_init ip6gre_init_net(struct net *net)
 	return 0;
 
 err_reg_dev:
-	ip6gre_dev_free(ign->fb_tunnel_dev);
+	free_netdev(ign->fb_tunnel_dev);
 err_alloc_dev:
 	return err;
 }
@@ -1300,7 +1300,8 @@ static void ip6gre_tap_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	ether_setup(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ip6gre_tap_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = ip6gre_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ip6gre_dev_free;
 
 	dev->features |= NETIF_F_NETNS_LOCAL;
 	dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING;
diff --git a/net/ipv6/ip6_tunnel.c b/net/ipv6/ip6_tunnel.c
index 9b37f9747fc6..c3581973f5d7 100644
--- a/net/ipv6/ip6_tunnel.c
+++ b/net/ipv6/ip6_tunnel.c
@@ -254,7 +254,6 @@ static void ip6_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 	gro_cells_destroy(&t->gro_cells);
 	dst_cache_destroy(&t->dst_cache);
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static int ip6_tnl_create2(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -322,7 +321,7 @@ static struct ip6_tnl *ip6_tnl_create(struct net *net, struct __ip6_tnl_parm *p)
 	return t;
 
 failed_free:
-	ip6_dev_free(dev);
+	free_netdev(dev);
 failed:
 	return ERR_PTR(err);
 }
@@ -1777,7 +1776,8 @@ static const struct net_device_ops ip6_tnl_netdev_ops = {
 static void ip6_tnl_dev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ip6_tnl_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = ip6_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ip6_dev_free;
 
 	dev->type = ARPHRD_TUNNEL6;
 	dev->flags |= IFF_NOARP;
@@ -2224,7 +2224,7 @@ static int __net_init ip6_tnl_init_net(struct net *net)
 	return 0;
 
 err_register:
-	ip6_dev_free(ip6n->fb_tnl_dev);
+	free_netdev(ip6n->fb_tnl_dev);
 err_alloc_dev:
 	return err;
 }
diff --git a/net/ipv6/ip6_vti.c b/net/ipv6/ip6_vti.c
index d67ef56454b2..837ea1eefe7f 100644
--- a/net/ipv6/ip6_vti.c
+++ b/net/ipv6/ip6_vti.c
@@ -180,7 +180,6 @@ vti6_tnl_unlink(struct vti6_net *ip6n, struct ip6_tnl *t)
 static void vti6_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static int vti6_tnl_create2(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -235,7 +234,7 @@ static struct ip6_tnl *vti6_tnl_create(struct net *net, struct __ip6_tnl_parm *p
 	return t;
 
 failed_free:
-	vti6_dev_free(dev);
+	free_netdev(dev);
 failed:
 	return NULL;
 }
@@ -842,7 +841,8 @@ static const struct net_device_ops vti6_netdev_ops = {
 static void vti6_dev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	dev->netdev_ops = &vti6_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor = vti6_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = vti6_dev_free;
 
 	dev->type = ARPHRD_TUNNEL6;
 	dev->hard_header_len = LL_MAX_HEADER + sizeof(struct ipv6hdr);
@@ -1100,7 +1100,7 @@ static int __net_init vti6_init_net(struct net *net)
 	return 0;
 
 err_register:
-	vti6_dev_free(ip6n->fb_tnl_dev);
+	free_netdev(ip6n->fb_tnl_dev);
 err_alloc_dev:
 	return err;
 }
diff --git a/net/ipv6/ip6mr.c b/net/ipv6/ip6mr.c
index 374997d26488..2ecb39b943b5 100644
--- a/net/ipv6/ip6mr.c
+++ b/net/ipv6/ip6mr.c
@@ -733,7 +733,7 @@ static void reg_vif_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->mtu		= 1500 - sizeof(struct ipv6hdr) - 8;
 	dev->flags		= IFF_NOARP;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &reg_vif_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->features		|= NETIF_F_NETNS_LOCAL;
 }
 
diff --git a/net/ipv6/sit.c b/net/ipv6/sit.c
index 61e5902f0687..2378503577b0 100644
--- a/net/ipv6/sit.c
+++ b/net/ipv6/sit.c
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ static struct ip_tunnel *ipip6_tunnel_locate(struct net *net,
 	return nt;
 
 failed_free:
-	ipip6_dev_free(dev);
+	free_netdev(dev);
 failed:
 	return NULL;
 }
@@ -1336,7 +1336,6 @@ static void ipip6_dev_free(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	dst_cache_destroy(&tunnel->dst_cache);
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 #define SIT_FEATURES (NETIF_F_SG	   | \
@@ -1351,7 +1350,8 @@ static void ipip6_tunnel_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	int t_hlen = tunnel->hlen + sizeof(struct iphdr);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &ipip6_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= ipip6_dev_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
+	dev->priv_destructor	= ipip6_dev_free;
 
 	dev->type		= ARPHRD_SIT;
 	dev->hard_header_len	= LL_MAX_HEADER + t_hlen;
diff --git a/net/irda/irlan/irlan_eth.c b/net/irda/irlan/irlan_eth.c
index 74d09f91709e..3be852808a9d 100644
--- a/net/irda/irlan/irlan_eth.c
+++ b/net/irda/irlan/irlan_eth.c
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ static void irlan_eth_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	ether_setup(dev);
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &irlan_eth_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 	dev->min_mtu		= 0;
 	dev->max_mtu		= ETH_MAX_MTU;
 
diff --git a/net/l2tp/l2tp_eth.c b/net/l2tp/l2tp_eth.c
index 8b21af7321b9..f7c54ece3733 100644
--- a/net/l2tp/l2tp_eth.c
+++ b/net/l2tp/l2tp_eth.c
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ static void l2tp_eth_dev_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->priv_flags		&= ~IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING;
 	dev->features		|= NETIF_F_LLTX;
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &l2tp_eth_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 static void l2tp_eth_dev_recv(struct l2tp_session *session, struct sk_buff *skb, int data_len)
diff --git a/net/mac80211/iface.c b/net/mac80211/iface.c
index 8fae1a72e6a7..915d7e1b4545 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/iface.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/iface.c
@@ -1213,7 +1213,6 @@ static const struct net_device_ops ieee80211_monitorif_ops = {
 static void ieee80211_if_free(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	free_percpu(dev->tstats);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void ieee80211_if_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -1221,7 +1220,8 @@ static void ieee80211_if_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	ether_setup(dev);
 	dev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING;
 	dev->netdev_ops = &ieee80211_dataif_ops;
-	dev->destructor = ieee80211_if_free;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	dev->priv_destructor = ieee80211_if_free;
 }
 
 static void ieee80211_if_setup_no_queue(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -1905,7 +1905,7 @@ int ieee80211_if_add(struct ieee80211_local *local, const char *name,
 
 		ret = register_netdevice(ndev);
 		if (ret) {
-			ieee80211_if_free(ndev);
+			free_netdev(ndev);
 			return ret;
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/net/mac802154/iface.c b/net/mac802154/iface.c
index 06019dba4b10..bd88a9b80773 100644
--- a/net/mac802154/iface.c
+++ b/net/mac802154/iface.c
@@ -526,8 +526,6 @@ static void mac802154_wpan_free(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct ieee802154_sub_if_data *sdata = IEEE802154_DEV_TO_SUB_IF(dev);
 
 	mac802154_llsec_destroy(&sdata->sec);
-
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void ieee802154_if_setup(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -593,7 +591,8 @@ ieee802154_setup_sdata(struct ieee802154_sub_if_data *sdata,
 					sdata->dev->dev_addr);
 
 		sdata->dev->header_ops = &mac802154_header_ops;
-		sdata->dev->destructor = mac802154_wpan_free;
+		sdata->dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+		sdata->dev->priv_destructor = mac802154_wpan_free;
 		sdata->dev->netdev_ops = &mac802154_wpan_ops;
 		sdata->dev->ml_priv = &mac802154_mlme_wpan;
 		wpan_dev->promiscuous_mode = false;
@@ -608,7 +607,7 @@ ieee802154_setup_sdata(struct ieee802154_sub_if_data *sdata,
 
 		break;
 	case NL802154_IFTYPE_MONITOR:
-		sdata->dev->destructor = free_netdev;
+		sdata->dev->needs_free_netdev = true;
 		sdata->dev->netdev_ops = &mac802154_monitor_ops;
 		wpan_dev->promiscuous_mode = true;
 		break;
diff --git a/net/openvswitch/vport-internal_dev.c b/net/openvswitch/vport-internal_dev.c
index 89193a634da4..04a3128adcf0 100644
--- a/net/openvswitch/vport-internal_dev.c
+++ b/net/openvswitch/vport-internal_dev.c
@@ -94,7 +94,6 @@ static void internal_dev_destructor(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct vport *vport = ovs_internal_dev_get_vport(dev);
 
 	ovs_vport_free(vport);
-	free_netdev(dev);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -156,7 +155,8 @@ static void do_setup(struct net_device *netdev)
 	netdev->priv_flags &= ~IFF_TX_SKB_SHARING;
 	netdev->priv_flags |= IFF_LIVE_ADDR_CHANGE | IFF_OPENVSWITCH |
 			      IFF_PHONY_HEADROOM | IFF_NO_QUEUE;
-	netdev->destructor = internal_dev_destructor;
+	netdev->needs_free_netdev = true;
+	netdev->priv_destructor = internal_dev_destructor;
 	netdev->ethtool_ops = &internal_dev_ethtool_ops;
 	netdev->rtnl_link_ops = &internal_dev_link_ops;
 
diff --git a/net/phonet/pep-gprs.c b/net/phonet/pep-gprs.c
index 21c28b51be94..2c9337946e30 100644
--- a/net/phonet/pep-gprs.c
+++ b/net/phonet/pep-gprs.c
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ static void gprs_setup(struct net_device *dev)
 	dev->tx_queue_len	= 10;
 
 	dev->netdev_ops		= &gprs_netdev_ops;
-	dev->destructor		= free_netdev;
+	dev->needs_free_netdev	= true;
 }
 
 /*