diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/renesas/sh_eth.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/renesas/sh_eth.c
index 50d85d037230..f808e60b4ee4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/renesas/sh_eth.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/renesas/sh_eth.c
@@ -3496,10 +3496,12 @@ static int sh_eth_suspend(struct device *dev)
 
 	netif_device_detach(ndev);
 
+	rtnl_lock();
 	if (mdp->wol_enabled)
 		ret = sh_eth_wol_setup(ndev);
 	else
 		ret = sh_eth_close(ndev);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -3513,10 +3515,12 @@ static int sh_eth_resume(struct device *dev)
 	if (!netif_running(ndev))
 		return 0;
 
+	rtnl_lock();
 	if (mdp->wol_enabled)
 		ret = sh_eth_wol_restore(ndev);
 	else
 		ret = sh_eth_open(ndev);
+	rtnl_unlock();
 
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return ret;