diff --git a/tests/driver_nrf802154/main.c b/tests/driver_nrf802154/main.c
index 9c0bc7555a..32a3f4f9c8 100644
--- a/tests/driver_nrf802154/main.c
+++ b/tests/driver_nrf802154/main.c
@@ -36,13 +36,13 @@ int netdev_ieee802154_minimal_init_devs(netdev_event_cb_t cb) {
     netdev_register(netdev, NETDEV_CC2538, 0);
     netdev_ieee802154_submac_init(&nrf802154);
 
+    /* set the application-provided callback */
+    netdev->event_callback = cb;
+
     /* setup and initialize the specific driver */
     nrf802154_hal_setup(&nrf802154.submac.dev);
     nrf802154_init();
 
-    /* set the application-provided callback */
-    netdev->event_callback = cb;
-
     /* initialize the device driver */
     int res = netdev->driver->init(netdev);
     if (res != 0) {