diff --git a/drivers/isdn/hardware/mISDN/hfcmulti.c b/drivers/isdn/hardware/mISDN/hfcmulti.c
index 97f4708b3879..595ba8eb4a07 100644
--- a/drivers/isdn/hardware/mISDN/hfcmulti.c
+++ b/drivers/isdn/hardware/mISDN/hfcmulti.c
@@ -3615,7 +3615,7 @@ hfcm_bctrl(struct mISDNchannel *ch, u_int cmd, void *arg)
 static void
 ph_state_change(struct dchannel *dch)
 {
-	struct hfc_multi *hc = dch->hw;
+	struct hfc_multi *hc;
 	int ch, i;
 
 	if (!dch) {
@@ -3623,6 +3623,7 @@ ph_state_change(struct dchannel *dch)
 		    __func__);
 		return;
 	}
+	hc = dch->hw;
 	ch = dch->slot;
 
 	if (hc->type == 1) {