diff --git a/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c b/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
index 8a460b1..1d45ff6 100644
--- a/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
+++ b/net/netfilter/nfnetlink_log.c
@@ -213,6 +213,9 @@ _instance_destroy2(struct nfulnl_instanc
 	if (lock)
 		write_unlock_bh(&instances_lock);
 
+	sychronize_rcu();
+	if (del_timer_sync(&inst->timer))
+		instance_put(inst);
 	/* then flush all pending packets from skb */
 
 	spin_lock_bh(&inst->lock);
@@ -363,9 +366,6 @@ __nfulnl_send(struct nfulnl_instance *in
 {
 	int status;
 
-	if (timer_pending(&inst->timer))
-		del_timer(&inst->timer);
-
 	if (!inst->skb)
 		return 0;
 
@@ -676,6 +676,9 @@ #endif
 		 * enough room in the skb left. flush to userspace. */
 		UDEBUG("flushing old skb\n");
 
+		if (del_timer(&inst->timer))
+			instance_put(inst);
+
 		__nfulnl_send(inst);
 	}