diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
index 20bbda1b36e1..c5a646d06102 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_main.c
@@ -1526,6 +1526,7 @@ static struct slave *bond_alloc_slave(struct bonding *bond,
 
 	slave->bond = bond;
 	slave->dev = slave_dev;
+	INIT_DELAYED_WORK(&slave->notify_work, bond_netdev_notify_work);
 
 	if (bond_kobj_init(slave))
 		return NULL;
@@ -1538,7 +1539,6 @@ static struct slave *bond_alloc_slave(struct bonding *bond,
 			return NULL;
 		}
 	}
-	INIT_DELAYED_WORK(&slave->notify_work, bond_netdev_notify_work);
 
 	return slave;
 }