diff --git a/src/plugins/renderers/drm/plugin.c b/src/plugins/renderers/drm/plugin.c
index 2b5116d5..b9e5ddd6 100644
--- a/src/plugins/renderers/drm/plugin.c
+++ b/src/plugins/renderers/drm/plugin.c
@@ -707,13 +707,14 @@ unload_backend (ply_renderer_backend_t *backend)
 
         ply_trace ("unloading backend");
 
-        destroy_backend (backend);
-        backend = NULL;
-
         if (backend->device_fd >= 0) {
                 drmClose (backend->device_fd);
                 backend->device_fd = -1;
         }
+
+        destroy_backend (backend);
+        backend = NULL;
+
 }
 
 static bool