diff --git a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
index 3186ac7c2c10..30634ab5c226 100644
--- a/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
+++ b/drivers/media/rc/rc-main.c
@@ -1099,7 +1099,6 @@ int rc_register_device(struct rc_dev *dev)
 		if (rc < 0)
 			goto out_input;
 	}
-	mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
 
 	if (dev->change_protocol) {
 		rc = dev->change_protocol(dev, rc_map->rc_type);
@@ -1107,6 +1106,8 @@ int rc_register_device(struct rc_dev *dev)
 			goto out_raw;
 	}
 
+	mutex_unlock(&dev->lock);
+
 	IR_dprintk(1, "Registered rc%ld (driver: %s, remote: %s, mode %s)\n",
 		   dev->devno,
 		   dev->driver_name ? dev->driver_name : "unknown",