diff --git a/target/linux/generic/files/drivers/net/phy/ar8216.c b/target/linux/generic/files/drivers/net/phy/ar8216.c
index 4df2dbbdb5..5a8a938189 100644
--- a/target/linux/generic/files/drivers/net/phy/ar8216.c
+++ b/target/linux/generic/files/drivers/net/phy/ar8216.c
@@ -1481,10 +1481,19 @@ ar8216_config_aneg(struct phy_device *phydev)
 static int
 ar8216_probe(struct phy_device *pdev)
 {
-	struct ar8216_priv priv;
+	struct ar8216_priv *priv;
+	int ret;
+
+	priv = kzalloc(sizeof(struct ar8216_priv), GFP_KERNEL);
+	if (priv == NULL)
+		return -ENOMEM;
+
+	priv->phy = pdev;
 
-	priv.phy = pdev;
-	return ar8216_id_chip(&priv);
+	ret = ar8216_id_chip(priv);
+	kfree(priv);
+
+	return ret;
 }
 
 static void