diff --git a/libnetwork/endpoint.go b/libnetwork/endpoint.go
index de08c4210f..7fdf2db5e9 100644
--- a/libnetwork/endpoint.go
+++ b/libnetwork/endpoint.go
@@ -683,8 +683,8 @@ func (ep *endpoint) deleteEndpoint() error {
 }
 
 func (ep *endpoint) getSandbox() (*sandbox, bool) {
-	ep.Lock()
 	c := ep.network.getController()
+	ep.Lock()
 	sid := ep.sandboxID
 	ep.Unlock()