diff --git a/drivers/net/dsa/bcm_sf2.c b/drivers/net/dsa/bcm_sf2.c
index cd1f240c90f396..257df167687506 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dsa/bcm_sf2.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dsa/bcm_sf2.c
@@ -678,8 +678,10 @@ static int bcm_sf2_mdio_register(struct dsa_switch *ds)
 			of_remove_property(child, prop);
 
 		phydev = of_phy_find_device(child);
-		if (phydev)
+		if (phydev) {
 			phy_device_remove(phydev);
+			phy_device_free(phydev);
+		}
 	}
 
 	err = mdiobus_register(priv->slave_mii_bus);