diff --git a/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c b/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
index 76be240922e9..44553962db02 100644
--- a/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
+++ b/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
@@ -705,6 +705,9 @@ em_detach(device_t dev)
 		ether_poll_deregister(ifp);
 #endif
 
+	if (adapter->led_dev != NULL)
+		led_destroy(adapter->led_dev);
+
 	EM_CORE_LOCK(adapter);
 	adapter->in_detach = 1;
 	em_stop(adapter);
@@ -774,9 +777,6 @@ em_resume(device_t dev)
 	struct adapter *adapter = device_get_softc(dev);
 	struct ifnet *ifp = adapter->ifp;
 
-	if (adapter->led_dev != NULL)
-		led_destroy(adapter->led_dev);
-
 	EM_CORE_LOCK(adapter);
 	em_init_locked(adapter);
 	em_init_manageability(adapter);