diff --git a/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c b/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
index b751cb989f14..7320c8e3c68f 100644
--- a/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
+++ b/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
@@ -838,6 +838,8 @@ static void hci_disconn_complete_prio(struct net_buf *buf)
 		return;
 	}
 
+	conn->err = evt->reason;
+
 	bt_conn_set_state(conn, BT_CONN_DISCONNECT_COMPLETE);
 	bt_conn_unref(conn);
 }
@@ -860,8 +862,6 @@ static void hci_disconn_complete(struct net_buf *buf)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	conn->err = evt->reason;
-
 	bt_conn_set_state(conn, BT_CONN_DISCONNECTED);
 
 	if (conn->type != BT_CONN_TYPE_LE) {