diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
index c710d5e..1c81ca0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.c
@@ -521,9 +521,9 @@ static void mwifiex_fw_dpc(const struct firmware *firmware, void *context)
 	struct mwifiex_private *priv;
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter = context;
 	struct mwifiex_fw_image fw;
-	struct semaphore *sem = adapter->card_sem;
 	bool init_failed = false;
 	struct wireless_dev *wdev;
+	struct completion *fw_done = adapter->fw_done;
 
 	if (!firmware) {
 		mwifiex_dbg(adapter, ERROR,
@@ -670,7 +670,8 @@ static void mwifiex_fw_dpc(const struct firmware *firmware, void *context)
 	}
 	if (init_failed)
 		mwifiex_free_adapter(adapter);
-	up(sem);
+	/* Tell all current and future waiters we're finished */
+	complete_all(fw_done);
 	return;
 }
 
@@ -1365,7 +1366,7 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
  * code is extracted from mwifiex_remove_card()
  */
 static int
-mwifiex_shutdown_sw(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, struct semaphore *sem)
+mwifiex_shutdown_sw(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 {
 	struct mwifiex_private *priv;
 	int i;
@@ -1373,8 +1374,9 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
 	if (!adapter)
 		goto exit_return;
 
-	if (down_interruptible(sem))
-		goto exit_sem_err;
+	wait_for_completion(adapter->fw_done);
+	/* Caller should ensure we aren't suspending while this happens */
+	reinit_completion(adapter->fw_done);
 
 	priv = mwifiex_get_priv(adapter, MWIFIEX_BSS_ROLE_ANY);
 	mwifiex_deauthenticate(priv, NULL);
@@ -1431,8 +1433,6 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
 		rtnl_unlock();
 	}
 
-	up(sem);
-exit_sem_err:
 	mwifiex_dbg(adapter, INFO, "%s, successful\n", __func__);
 exit_return:
 	return 0;
@@ -1442,21 +1442,18 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
  * code is extracted from mwifiex_add_card()
  */
 static int
-mwifiex_reinit_sw(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, struct semaphore *sem,
+mwifiex_reinit_sw(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, struct completion *fw_done,
 		  struct mwifiex_if_ops *if_ops, u8 iface_type)
 {
 	char fw_name[32];
 	struct pcie_service_card *card = adapter->card;
 
-	if (down_interruptible(sem))
-		goto exit_sem_err;
-
 	mwifiex_init_lock_list(adapter);
 	if (adapter->if_ops.up_dev)
 		adapter->if_ops.up_dev(adapter);
 
 	adapter->iface_type = iface_type;
-	adapter->card_sem = sem;
+	adapter->fw_done = fw_done;
 
 	adapter->hw_status = MWIFIEX_HW_STATUS_INITIALIZING;
 	adapter->surprise_removed = false;
@@ -1507,7 +1504,8 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
 	}
 	strcpy(adapter->fw_name, fw_name);
 	mwifiex_dbg(adapter, INFO, "%s, successful\n", __func__);
-	up(sem);
+
+	complete_all(adapter->fw_done);
 	return 0;
 
 err_init_fw:
@@ -1527,8 +1525,7 @@ static void mwifiex_main_work_queue(struct work_struct *work)
 err_kmalloc:
 	mwifiex_terminate_workqueue(adapter);
 	adapter->surprise_removed = true;
-	up(sem);
-exit_sem_err:
+	complete_all(adapter->fw_done);
 	mwifiex_dbg(adapter, INFO, "%s, error\n", __func__);
 
 	return -1;
@@ -1543,12 +1540,12 @@ void mwifiex_do_flr(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, bool prepare)
 	struct mwifiex_if_ops if_ops;
 
 	if (!prepare) {
-		mwifiex_reinit_sw(adapter, adapter->card_sem, &if_ops,
+		mwifiex_reinit_sw(adapter, adapter->fw_done, &if_ops,
 				  adapter->iface_type);
 	} else {
 		memcpy(&if_ops, &adapter->if_ops,
 		       sizeof(struct mwifiex_if_ops));
-		mwifiex_shutdown_sw(adapter, adapter->card_sem);
+		mwifiex_shutdown_sw(adapter);
 	}
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(mwifiex_do_flr);
@@ -1618,15 +1615,12 @@ static void mwifiex_probe_of(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
  *      - Add logical interfaces
  */
 int
-mwifiex_add_card(void *card, struct semaphore *sem,
+mwifiex_add_card(void *card, struct completion *fw_done,
 		 struct mwifiex_if_ops *if_ops, u8 iface_type,
 		 struct device *dev, bool of_node_valid)
 {
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter;
 
-	if (down_interruptible(sem))
-		goto exit_sem_err;
-
 	if (mwifiex_register(card, if_ops, (void **)&adapter)) {
 		pr_err("%s: software init failed\n", __func__);
 		goto err_init_sw;
@@ -1637,7 +1631,7 @@ static void mwifiex_probe_of(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 		mwifiex_probe_of(adapter);
 
 	adapter->iface_type = iface_type;
-	adapter->card_sem = sem;
+	adapter->fw_done = fw_done;
 
 	adapter->hw_status = MWIFIEX_HW_STATUS_INITIALIZING;
 	adapter->surprise_removed = false;
@@ -1706,9 +1700,7 @@ static void mwifiex_probe_of(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 	mwifiex_free_adapter(adapter);
 
 err_init_sw:
-	up(sem);
 
-exit_sem_err:
 	return -1;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(mwifiex_add_card);
@@ -1724,14 +1716,11 @@ static void mwifiex_probe_of(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
  *      - Unregister the device
  *      - Free the adapter structure
  */
-int mwifiex_remove_card(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, struct semaphore *sem)
+int mwifiex_remove_card(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 {
 	struct mwifiex_private *priv = NULL;
 	int i;
 
-	if (down_trylock(sem))
-		goto exit_sem_err;
-
 	if (!adapter)
 		goto exit_remove;
 
@@ -1801,8 +1790,6 @@ int mwifiex_remove_card(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, struct semaphore *sem)
 	mwifiex_free_adapter(adapter);
 
 exit_remove:
-	up(sem);
-exit_sem_err:
 	return 0;
 }
 EXPORT_SYMBOL_GPL(mwifiex_remove_card);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.h b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.h
index b0c501d..d0fbb2f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/main.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #ifndef _MWIFIEX_MAIN_H_
 #define _MWIFIEX_MAIN_H_
 
+#include <linux/completion.h>
 #include <linux/kernel.h>
 #include <linux/module.h>
 #include <linux/sched.h>
@@ -985,7 +986,10 @@ struct mwifiex_adapter {
 	u32 usr_dot_11ac_mcs_support;
 
 	atomic_t pending_bridged_pkts;
-	struct semaphore *card_sem;
+
+	/* For synchronizing FW initialization with device lifecycle. */
+	struct completion *fw_done;
+
 	bool ext_scan;
 	u8 fw_api_ver;
 	u8 key_api_major_ver, key_api_minor_ver;
@@ -1438,9 +1442,10 @@ static inline void mwifiex_enable_wake(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 
 int mwifiex_init_shutdown_fw(struct mwifiex_private *priv,
 			     u32 func_init_shutdown);
-int mwifiex_add_card(void *, struct semaphore *, struct mwifiex_if_ops *, u8,
-		     struct device *, bool);
-int mwifiex_remove_card(struct mwifiex_adapter *, struct semaphore *);
+int mwifiex_add_card(void *card, struct completion *fw_done,
+		     struct mwifiex_if_ops *if_ops, u8 iface_type,
+		     struct device *dev, bool of_node_valid);
+int mwifiex_remove_card(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter);
 
 void mwifiex_get_version(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter, char *version,
 			 int maxlen);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.c b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.c
index 509c156..c4bd64b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.c
@@ -35,8 +35,6 @@
 
 static struct mwifiex_if_ops pcie_ops;
 
-static struct semaphore add_remove_card_sem;
-
 static const struct of_device_id mwifiex_pcie_of_match_table[] = {
 	{ .compatible = "pci11ab,2b42" },
 	{ .compatible = "pci1b4b,2b42" },
@@ -213,6 +211,8 @@ static int mwifiex_pcie_probe(struct pci_dev *pdev,
 	if (!card)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	init_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	card->dev = pdev;
 
 	if (ent->driver_data) {
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ static int mwifiex_pcie_probe(struct pci_dev *pdev,
 		valid_of_node = true;
 	}
 
-	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &add_remove_card_sem, &pcie_ops,
+	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &card->fw_done, &pcie_ops,
 			       MWIFIEX_PCIE, &pdev->dev, valid_of_node);
 	if (ret) {
 		pr_err("%s failed\n", __func__);
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@ static void mwifiex_pcie_remove(struct pci_dev *pdev)
 	if (!card)
 		return;
 
+	wait_for_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	adapter = card->adapter;
 	if (!adapter || !adapter->priv_num)
 		return;
@@ -279,7 +281,7 @@ static void mwifiex_pcie_remove(struct pci_dev *pdev)
 		mwifiex_init_shutdown_fw(priv, MWIFIEX_FUNC_SHUTDOWN);
 	}
 
-	mwifiex_remove_card(card->adapter, &add_remove_card_sem);
+	mwifiex_remove_card(adapter);
 }
 
 static void mwifiex_pcie_shutdown(struct pci_dev *pdev)
@@ -3181,8 +3183,7 @@ static void mwifiex_pcie_down_dev(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 /*
  * This function initializes the PCIE driver module.
  *
- * This initiates the semaphore and registers the device with
- * PCIE bus.
+ * This registers the device with PCIE bus.
  */
 static int mwifiex_pcie_init_module(void)
 {
@@ -3190,8 +3191,6 @@ static int mwifiex_pcie_init_module(void)
 
 	pr_debug("Marvell PCIe Driver\n");
 
-	sema_init(&add_remove_card_sem, 1);
-
 	/* Clear the flag in case user removes the card. */
 	user_rmmod = 0;
 
@@ -3215,9 +3214,6 @@ static int mwifiex_pcie_init_module(void)
  */
 static void mwifiex_pcie_cleanup_module(void)
 {
-	if (!down_interruptible(&add_remove_card_sem))
-		up(&add_remove_card_sem);
-
 	/* Set the flag as user is removing this module. */
 	user_rmmod = 1;
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.h b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.h
index 46f99ca..ae3365d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/pcie.h
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 #ifndef	_MWIFIEX_PCIE_H
 #define	_MWIFIEX_PCIE_H
 
+#include    <linux/completion.h>
 #include    <linux/pci.h>
 #include    <linux/interrupt.h>
 
@@ -345,6 +346,7 @@ struct pcie_service_card {
 	struct pci_dev *dev;
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter;
 	struct mwifiex_pcie_device pcie;
+	struct completion fw_done;
 
 	u8 txbd_flush;
 	u32 txbd_wrptr;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.c b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.c
index ca5b0aa..90f45d9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.c
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@
 static struct mwifiex_if_ops sdio_ops;
 static unsigned long iface_work_flags;
 
-static struct semaphore add_remove_card_sem;
-
 static struct memory_type_mapping generic_mem_type_map[] = {
 	{"DUMP", NULL, 0, 0xDD},
 };
@@ -116,6 +114,8 @@ static int mwifiex_sdio_probe_of(struct device *dev)
 	if (!card)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	init_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	card->func = func;
 	card->device_id = id;
 
@@ -156,7 +156,7 @@ static int mwifiex_sdio_probe_of(struct device *dev)
 		valid_of_node = true;
 	}
 
-	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &add_remove_card_sem, &sdio_ops,
+	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &card->fw_done, &sdio_ops,
 			       MWIFIEX_SDIO, &func->dev, valid_of_node);
 	if (ret) {
 		dev_err(&func->dev, "add card failed\n");
@@ -237,6 +237,8 @@ static int mwifiex_sdio_resume(struct device *dev)
 	if (!card)
 		return;
 
+	wait_for_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	adapter = card->adapter;
 	if (!adapter || !adapter->priv_num)
 		return;
@@ -254,7 +256,7 @@ static int mwifiex_sdio_resume(struct device *dev)
 		mwifiex_init_shutdown_fw(priv, MWIFIEX_FUNC_SHUTDOWN);
 	}
 
-	mwifiex_remove_card(card->adapter, &add_remove_card_sem);
+	mwifiex_remove_card(adapter);
 }
 
 /*
@@ -2716,14 +2718,11 @@ static void mwifiex_sdio_device_dump(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 /*
  * This function initializes the SDIO driver.
  *
- * This initiates the semaphore and registers the device with
- * SDIO bus.
+ * This registers the device with SDIO bus.
  */
 static int
 mwifiex_sdio_init_module(void)
 {
-	sema_init(&add_remove_card_sem, 1);
-
 	/* Clear the flag in case user removes the card. */
 	user_rmmod = 0;
 
@@ -2742,9 +2741,6 @@ static void mwifiex_sdio_device_dump(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 static void
 mwifiex_sdio_cleanup_module(void)
 {
-	if (!down_interruptible(&add_remove_card_sem))
-		up(&add_remove_card_sem);
-
 	/* Set the flag as user is removing this module. */
 	user_rmmod = 1;
 	cancel_work_sync(&sdio_work);
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.h b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.h
index b9fbc5c..cdbf3a3a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/sdio.h
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 #define	_MWIFIEX_SDIO_H
 
 
+#include <linux/completion.h>
 #include <linux/mmc/sdio.h>
 #include <linux/mmc/sdio_ids.h>
 #include <linux/mmc/sdio_func.h>
@@ -238,6 +239,7 @@ struct sdio_mmc_card {
 	struct sdio_func *func;
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter;
 
+	struct completion fw_done;
 	const char *firmware;
 	const struct mwifiex_sdio_card_reg *reg;
 	u8 max_ports;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.c
index 889203d..14f89fe 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.c
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@
 
 static u8 user_rmmod;
 static struct mwifiex_if_ops usb_ops;
-static struct semaphore add_remove_card_sem;
 
 static struct usb_device_id mwifiex_usb_table[] = {
 	/* 8766 */
@@ -386,6 +385,8 @@ static int mwifiex_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
 	if (!card)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	init_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	id_vendor = le16_to_cpu(udev->descriptor.idVendor);
 	id_product = le16_to_cpu(udev->descriptor.idProduct);
 	bcd_device = le16_to_cpu(udev->descriptor.bcdDevice);
@@ -475,7 +476,7 @@ static int mwifiex_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
 
 	usb_set_intfdata(intf, card);
 
-	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &add_remove_card_sem, &usb_ops,
+	ret = mwifiex_add_card(card, &card->fw_done, &usb_ops,
 			       MWIFIEX_USB, &card->udev->dev, false);
 	if (ret) {
 		pr_err("%s: mwifiex_add_card failed: %d\n", __func__, ret);
@@ -601,13 +602,15 @@ static void mwifiex_usb_disconnect(struct usb_interface *intf)
 	struct usb_card_rec *card = usb_get_intfdata(intf);
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter;
 
-	if (!card || !card->adapter) {
-		pr_err("%s: card or card->adapter is NULL\n", __func__);
+	if (!card) {
+		dev_err(&intf->dev, "%s: card is NULL\n", __func__);
 		return;
 	}
 
+	wait_for_completion(&card->fw_done);
+
 	adapter = card->adapter;
-	if (!adapter->priv_num)
+	if (!adapter || !adapter->priv_num)
 		return;
 
 	if (user_rmmod && !adapter->mfg_mode) {
@@ -627,7 +630,7 @@ static void mwifiex_usb_disconnect(struct usb_interface *intf)
 
 	mwifiex_dbg(adapter, FATAL,
 		    "%s: removing card\n", __func__);
-	mwifiex_remove_card(adapter, &add_remove_card_sem);
+	mwifiex_remove_card(adapter);
 
 	usb_put_dev(interface_to_usbdev(intf));
 }
@@ -1200,8 +1203,7 @@ static void mwifiex_usb_submit_rem_rx_urbs(struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter)
 
 /* This function initializes the USB driver module.
  *
- * This initiates the semaphore and registers the device with
- * USB bus.
+ * This registers the device with USB bus.
  */
 static int mwifiex_usb_init_module(void)
 {
@@ -1209,8 +1211,6 @@ static int mwifiex_usb_init_module(void)
 
 	pr_debug("Marvell USB8797 Driver\n");
 
-	sema_init(&add_remove_card_sem, 1);
-
 	ret = usb_register(&mwifiex_usb_driver);
 	if (ret)
 		pr_err("Driver register failed!\n");
@@ -1230,9 +1230,6 @@ static int mwifiex_usb_init_module(void)
  */
 static void mwifiex_usb_cleanup_module(void)
 {
-	if (!down_interruptible(&add_remove_card_sem))
-		up(&add_remove_card_sem);
-
 	/* set the flag as user is removing this module */
 	user_rmmod = 1;
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.h b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.h
index 30e8eb8..e5f204e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.h
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/marvell/mwifiex/usb.h
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 #ifndef _MWIFIEX_USB_H
 #define _MWIFIEX_USB_H
 
+#include <linux/completion.h>
 #include <linux/usb.h>
 
 #define USB8XXX_VID		0x1286
@@ -75,6 +76,7 @@ struct usb_card_rec {
 	struct mwifiex_adapter *adapter;
 	struct usb_device *udev;
 	struct usb_interface *intf;
+	struct completion fw_done;
 	u8 rx_cmd_ep;
 	struct urb_context rx_cmd;
 	atomic_t rx_cmd_urb_pending;
