diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/at803x.c b/drivers/net/phy/at803x.c
index a62442a55774..fdb89a505de3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/at803x.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/at803x.c
@@ -1503,7 +1503,7 @@ static int at8031_parse_dt(struct phy_device *phydev)
 
 static int at8031_probe(struct phy_device *phydev)
 {
-	struct at803x_priv *priv = phydev->priv;
+	struct at803x_priv *priv;
 	int mode_cfg;
 	int ccr;
 	int ret;
@@ -1512,6 +1512,8 @@ static int at8031_probe(struct phy_device *phydev)
 	if (ret)
 		return ret;
 
+	priv = phydev->priv;
+
 	/* Only supported on AR8031/AR8033, the AR8030/AR8035 use strapping
 	 * options.
 	 */