diff --git a/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.c b/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.c
index 824f12c..4765a50 100644
--- a/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.c
+++ b/drivers/i2c/i2c-core.c
@@ -768,9 +768,10 @@
 
 	mutex_lock(&adapter->clist_lock);
 	list_del(&client->list);
+	mutex_unlock(&adapter->clist_lock);
+
 	init_completion(&client->released);
 	device_unregister(&client->dev);
-	mutex_unlock(&adapter->clist_lock);
 	wait_for_completion(&client->released);
 
  out: