diff --git a/drivers/net/dsa/qca/qca8k-8xxx.c b/drivers/net/dsa/qca/qca8k-8xxx.c
index 641692f716f8..47e9b2c30383 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dsa/qca/qca8k-8xxx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dsa/qca/qca8k-8xxx.c
@@ -551,7 +551,7 @@ qca8k_phy_eth_command(struct qca8k_priv *priv, bool read, int phy,
 	 * We therefore need to lock the MDIO bus onto which the switch is
 	 * connected.
 	 */
-	mutex_lock(&priv->bus->mdio_lock);
+	mutex_lock_nested(&priv->bus->mdio_lock, MDIO_MUTEX_NESTED);
 
 	/* Actually start the request:
 	 * 1. Send mdio master packet