diff --git a/drivers/net/can/spi/mcp251x.c b/drivers/net/can/spi/mcp251x.c
index b797e08499d7..b46262e79130 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/spi/mcp251x.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/spi/mcp251x.c
@@ -1214,6 +1214,7 @@ static int mcp251x_open(struct net_device *net)
 {
 	struct mcp251x_priv *priv = netdev_priv(net);
 	struct spi_device *spi = priv->spi;
+	bool release_irq = false;
 	unsigned long flags = 0;
 	int ret;
 
@@ -1257,12 +1258,24 @@ static int mcp251x_open(struct net_device *net)
 	return 0;
 
 out_free_irq:
-	free_irq(spi->irq, priv);
+	/* The IRQ handler might be running, and if so it will be waiting
+	 * for the lock. But free_irq() must wait for the handler to finish
+	 * so calling it here would deadlock.
+	 *
+	 * Setting priv->force_quit will let the handler exit right away
+	 * without any access to the hardware. This make it safe to call
+	 * free_irq() after the lock is released.
+	 */
+	priv->force_quit = 1;
+	release_irq = true;
+
 	mcp251x_hw_sleep(spi);
 out_close:
 	mcp251x_power_enable(priv->transceiver, 0);
 	close_candev(net);
 	mutex_unlock(&priv->mcp_lock);
+	if (release_irq)
+		free_irq(spi->irq, priv);
 	return ret;
 }