diff --git a/etc/inc/config.inc b/etc/inc/config.inc
index 50f70da47b..760f26e4cd 100644
--- a/etc/inc/config.inc
+++ b/etc/inc/config.inc
@@ -1040,11 +1040,11 @@ function write_config($desc="Unknown", $backup = true) {
 		fclose($fd);
 	}
 
-	config_unlock();
-
 	/* tell kernel to sync fs data */
 	mwexec("/bin/sync");
 
+	config_unlock();
+
 	return $config;
 }