diff --git a/sys/dev/mlx5/mlx5_en/en.h b/sys/dev/mlx5/mlx5_en/en.h
index a0d42ab5b60..aba7bcb7d4d 100644
--- a/sys/dev/mlx5/mlx5_en/en.h
+++ b/sys/dev/mlx5/mlx5_en/en.h
@@ -661,6 +661,8 @@ struct mlx5e_clbr_point {
 };
 
 struct mlx5e_priv {
+	struct mlx5_core_dev *mdev;     /* must be first */
+
 	/* priv data path fields - start */
 	int	order_base_2_num_channels;
 	int	queue_mapping_channel_mask;
@@ -698,7 +700,6 @@ struct mlx5e_priv {
 	struct work_struct set_rx_mode_work;
 	MLX5_DECLARE_DOORBELL_LOCK(doorbell_lock)
 
-	struct mlx5_core_dev *mdev;
 	struct ifnet *ifp;
 	struct sysctl_ctx_list sysctl_ctx;
 	struct sysctl_oid *sysctl_ifnet;