diff --git a/subsys/bluetooth/controller/ll_sw/ull.c b/subsys/bluetooth/controller/ll_sw/ull.c
index ccb2329b764..335c4667c85 100644
--- a/subsys/bluetooth/controller/ll_sw/ull.c
+++ b/subsys/bluetooth/controller/ll_sw/ull.c
@@ -1035,14 +1035,19 @@ int ull_disable(void *lll)
 	u32_t ret;
 
 	hdr = HDR_ULL(((struct lll_hdr *)lll)->parent);
-	if (!hdr || !hdr->ref) {
+	if (!hdr) {
 		return ULL_STATUS_SUCCESS;
 	}
 
 	k_sem_init(&sem, 0, 1);
+
 	hdr->disabled_param = &sem;
 	hdr->disabled_cb = disabled_cb;
 
+	if (!hdr->ref) {
+		return ULL_STATUS_SUCCESS;
+	}
+
 	mfy.param = lll;
 	ret = mayfly_enqueue(TICKER_USER_ID_THREAD, TICKER_USER_ID_LLL, 0,
 			     &mfy);