diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
index fe0e3e2a8117..71e50fc65c14 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
@@ -1441,7 +1441,9 @@ void aq_nic_deinit(struct aq_nic_s *self, bool link_down)
 	aq_ptp_ring_free(self);
 	aq_ptp_free(self);
 
-	if (likely(self->aq_fw_ops->deinit) && link_down) {
+	/* May be invoked during hot unplug. */
+	if (pci_device_is_present(self->pdev) &&
+	    likely(self->aq_fw_ops->deinit) && link_down) {
 		mutex_lock(&self->fwreq_mutex);
 		self->aq_fw_ops->deinit(self->aq_hw);
 		mutex_unlock(&self->fwreq_mutex);