diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index 69606c8081a33b..7df2017c9a8d6c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -4335,11 +4335,11 @@ static void rtl8169_doorbell(struct rtl8169_private *tp)
 static netdev_tx_t rtl8169_start_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb,
 				      struct net_device *dev)
 {
-	unsigned int frags = skb_shinfo(skb)->nr_frags;
 	struct rtl8169_private *tp = netdev_priv(dev);
 	unsigned int entry = tp->cur_tx % NUM_TX_DESC;
 	struct TxDesc *txd_first, *txd_last;
 	bool stop_queue, door_bell;
+	unsigned int frags;
 	u32 opts[2];
 
 	if (unlikely(!rtl_tx_slots_avail(tp))) {
@@ -4362,6 +4362,7 @@ static netdev_tx_t rtl8169_start_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb,
 
 	txd_first = tp->TxDescArray + entry;
 
+	frags = skb_shinfo(skb)->nr_frags;
 	if (frags) {
 		if (rtl8169_xmit_frags(tp, skb, opts, entry))
 			goto err_dma_1;