diff --git a/drivers/net/af_packet/rte_eth_af_packet.c b/drivers/net/af_packet/rte_eth_af_packet.c
index 376d76302..2efc17725 100644
--- a/drivers/net/af_packet/rte_eth_af_packet.c
+++ b/drivers/net/af_packet/rte_eth_af_packet.c
@@ -986,6 +986,9 @@ rte_pmd_af_packet_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	if (eth_dev == NULL)
 		return -1;
 
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
+
 	if (rte_eal_process_type() != RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(eth_dev);
 
@@ -996,8 +999,6 @@ rte_pmd_af_packet_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	}
 	free(internals->if_name);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/ark/ark_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/ark/ark_ethdev.c
index 552ca01a6..70d62ec7f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ark/ark_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ark/ark_ethdev.c
@@ -506,7 +506,6 @@ eth_ark_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	dev->dev_ops = NULL;
 	dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/avf/avf_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/avf/avf_ethdev.c
index e56d57c43..13eec1b45 100644
--- a/drivers/net/avf/avf_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/avf/avf_ethdev.c
@@ -1303,9 +1303,6 @@ avf_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	rte_free(vf->aq_resp);
 	vf->aq_resp = NULL;
 
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	if (vf->rss_lut) {
 		rte_free(vf->rss_lut);
 		vf->rss_lut = NULL;
diff --git a/drivers/net/avp/avp_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/avp/avp_ethdev.c
index 0f8ccb954..09388d05f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/avp/avp_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/avp/avp_ethdev.c
@@ -1036,11 +1036,6 @@ eth_avp_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 		return ret;
 	}
 
-	if (eth_dev->data->mac_addrs != NULL) {
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-	}
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/axgbe/axgbe_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/axgbe/axgbe_ethdev.c
index 4b84b50c0..e89c0ec2c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/axgbe/axgbe_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/axgbe/axgbe_ethdev.c
@@ -718,9 +718,6 @@ eth_axgbe_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 		return 0;
 
 	pci_dev = RTE_DEV_TO_PCI(eth_dev->device);
-	/*Free macaddres*/
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	eth_dev->dev_ops = NULL;
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
diff --git a/drivers/net/bnxt/bnxt_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/bnxt/bnxt_ethdev.c
index c11fe9c8c..801c6ffad 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bnxt/bnxt_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bnxt/bnxt_ethdev.c
@@ -3501,10 +3501,6 @@ bnxt_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	bnxt_disable_int(bp);
 	bnxt_free_int(bp);
 	bnxt_free_mem(bp);
-	if (eth_dev->data->mac_addrs != NULL) {
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-	}
 	if (bp->grp_info != NULL) {
 		rte_free(bp->grp_info);
 		bp->grp_info = NULL;
diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/rte_eth_bond_pmd.c b/drivers/net/bonding/rte_eth_bond_pmd.c
index b731132a5..77fb3dcd3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/rte_eth_bond_pmd.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/rte_eth_bond_pmd.c
@@ -3128,10 +3128,9 @@ bond_alloc(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, uint8_t mode)
 
 err:
 	rte_free(internals);
-	if (eth_dev != NULL) {
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
-	}
+	if (eth_dev != NULL)
+		eth_dev->data->dev_private = NULL;
+	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 	return -1;
 }
 
@@ -3292,8 +3291,6 @@ bond_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	rte_mempool_free(internals->mode6.mempool);
 	rte_bitmap_free(internals->vlan_filter_bmp);
 	rte_free(internals->vlan_filter_bmpmem);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
 
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbe_main.c b/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbe_main.c
index a135df9c7..88dc851f8 100644
--- a/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbe_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbe_main.c
@@ -1710,12 +1710,7 @@ void cxgbe_close(struct adapter *adapter)
 			if (pi->viid != 0)
 				t4_free_vi(adapter, adapter->mbox,
 					   adapter->pf, 0, pi->viid);
-			rte_free(pi->eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-			/* Skip first port since it'll be freed by DPDK stack */
-			if (i) {
-				rte_free(pi->eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-				rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
-			}
+			rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
 		}
 		adapter->flags &= ~FULL_INIT_DONE;
 	}
@@ -1918,14 +1913,7 @@ int cxgbe_probe(struct adapter *adapter)
 		if (pi->viid != 0)
 			t4_free_vi(adapter, adapter->mbox, adapter->pf,
 				   0, pi->viid);
-		/* Skip first port since it'll be de-allocated by DPDK */
-		if (i == 0)
-			continue;
-		if (pi->eth_dev) {
-			if (pi->eth_dev->data->dev_private)
-				rte_free(pi->eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-			rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
-		}
+		rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
 	}
 
 	if (adapter->flags & FW_OK)
diff --git a/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbevf_main.c b/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbevf_main.c
index 4214d0312..6223e1250 100644
--- a/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbevf_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/cxgbe/cxgbevf_main.c
@@ -282,14 +282,7 @@ int cxgbevf_probe(struct adapter *adapter)
 		if (pi->viid != 0)
 			t4_free_vi(adapter, adapter->mbox, adapter->pf,
 				   0, pi->viid);
-		/* Skip first port since it'll be de-allocated by DPDK */
-		if (i == 0)
-			continue;
-		if (pi->eth_dev) {
-			if (pi->eth_dev->data->dev_private)
-				rte_free(pi->eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-			rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
-		}
+		rte_eth_dev_release_port(pi->eth_dev);
 	}
 	return -err;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/dpaa/dpaa_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/dpaa/dpaa_ethdev.c
index 5c743c3c8..d0572b3d9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dpaa/dpaa_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dpaa/dpaa_ethdev.c
@@ -1439,10 +1439,6 @@ dpaa_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	rte_free(dpaa_intf->tx_queues);
 	dpaa_intf->tx_queues = NULL;
 
-	/* free memory for storing MAC addresses */
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	dev->dev_ops = NULL;
 	dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
@@ -1544,9 +1540,6 @@ rte_dpaa_probe(struct rte_dpaa_driver *dpaa_drv __rte_unused,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 	return diag;
 }
@@ -1561,9 +1554,6 @@ rte_dpaa_remove(struct rte_dpaa_device *dpaa_dev)
 	eth_dev = dpaa_dev->eth_dev;
 	dpaa_dev_uninit(eth_dev);
 
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/dpaa2/dpaa2_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/dpaa2/dpaa2_ethdev.c
index 3987d13df..8267ee3f0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/dpaa2/dpaa2_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/dpaa2/dpaa2_ethdev.c
@@ -2065,12 +2065,6 @@ dpaa2_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 
 	dpaa2_free_rx_tx_queues(eth_dev);
 
-	/* free memory for storing MAC addresses */
-	if (eth_dev->data->mac_addrs) {
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-	}
-
 	/* Close the device at underlying layer*/
 	ret = dpni_close(dpni, CMD_PRI_LOW, priv->token);
 	if (ret) {
@@ -2133,8 +2127,6 @@ rte_dpaa2_probe(struct rte_dpaa2_driver *dpaa2_drv,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 	return diag;
 }
@@ -2147,8 +2139,6 @@ rte_dpaa2_remove(struct rte_dpaa2_device *dpaa2_dev)
 	eth_dev = dpaa2_dev->eth_dev;
 	dpaa2_dev_uninit(eth_dev);
 
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000/em_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/e1000/em_ethdev.c
index 28c153512..8230824e7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000/em_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000/em_ethdev.c
@@ -329,9 +329,6 @@ eth_em_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* disable uio intr before callback unregister */
 	rte_intr_disable(intr_handle);
 	rte_intr_callback_unregister(intr_handle,
diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000/igb_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/e1000/igb_ethdev.c
index e542ef572..d9d29d22f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000/igb_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000/igb_ethdev.c
@@ -917,9 +917,6 @@ eth_igb_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	/* Reset any pending lock */
 	igb_reset_swfw_lock(hw);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* uninitialize PF if max_vfs not zero */
 	igb_pf_host_uninit(eth_dev);
 
@@ -1073,9 +1070,6 @@ eth_igbvf_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* disable uio intr before callback unregister */
 	rte_intr_disable(&pci_dev->intr_handle);
 	rte_intr_callback_unregister(&pci_dev->intr_handle,
diff --git a/drivers/net/enetc/enetc_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/enetc/enetc_ethdev.c
index 3ee7bb446..023fe7517 100644
--- a/drivers/net/enetc/enetc_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/enetc/enetc_ethdev.c
@@ -108,11 +108,9 @@ enetc_dev_init(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 }
 
 static int
-enetc_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
+enetc_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev __rte_unused)
 {
 	PMD_INIT_FUNC_TRACE();
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe.c b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe.c
index c3999f026..fed36da5f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe.c
+++ b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe.c
@@ -280,7 +280,8 @@ fs_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 free_subs:
 	fs_sub_device_free(dev);
 free_dev:
-	rte_free(PRIV(dev));
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(dev);
 	return -1;
 }
@@ -305,7 +306,8 @@ fs_rte_eth_free(const char *name)
 	if (ret)
 		ERROR("Error while destroying hotplug mutex");
 	rte_free(PRIV(dev)->mcast_addrs);
-	rte_free(PRIV(dev));
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(dev);
 	return ret;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/fm10k/fm10k_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/fm10k/fm10k_ethdev.c
index 46983e5df..bb7b906a9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/fm10k/fm10k_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/fm10k/fm10k_ethdev.c
@@ -3234,14 +3234,6 @@ eth_fm10k_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 			fm10k_dev_interrupt_handler_vf, (void *)dev);
 	}
 
-	/* free mac memory */
-	if (dev->data->mac_addrs) {
-		rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-	}
-
-	memset(hw, 0, sizeof(*hw));
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
index f7a685c8c..8a5c3c8fb 100644
--- a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
@@ -1728,9 +1728,6 @@ eth_i40e_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	/* uninitialize pf host driver */
 	i40e_pf_host_uninit(dev);
 
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* disable uio intr before callback unregister */
 	rte_intr_disable(intr_handle);
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev_vf.c b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev_vf.c
index baa6cc58f..ed2fc1310 100644
--- a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev_vf.c
+++ b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev_vf.c
@@ -1483,9 +1483,6 @@ i40evf_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_vf_representor.c b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_vf_representor.c
index 24751d13c..43fe00cca 100644
--- a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_vf_representor.c
+++ b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_vf_representor.c
@@ -523,7 +523,10 @@ i40e_vf_representor_init(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev, void *init_params)
 }
 
 int
-i40e_vf_representor_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev __rte_unused)
+i40e_vf_representor_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev)
 {
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed because part of i40e_pf_vf */
+	ethdev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
+
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_ethdev.c
index c458bffc0..269595b73 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_ethdev.c
@@ -1337,12 +1337,6 @@ eth_ixgbe_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	/* uninitialize PF if max_vfs not zero */
 	ixgbe_pf_host_uninit(eth_dev);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->hash_mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->hash_mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* remove all the fdir filters & hash */
 	ixgbe_fdir_filter_uninit(eth_dev);
 
@@ -1722,9 +1716,6 @@ eth_ixgbevf_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	/* Disable the interrupts for VF */
 	ixgbevf_intr_disable(eth_dev);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	rte_intr_disable(intr_handle);
 	rte_intr_callback_unregister(intr_handle,
 				     ixgbevf_dev_interrupt_handler, eth_dev);
diff --git a/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_vf_representor.c b/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_vf_representor.c
index b0fbbc49f..eb9bbe5cb 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_vf_representor.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ixgbe/ixgbe_vf_representor.c
@@ -225,7 +225,10 @@ ixgbe_vf_representor_init(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev, void *init_params)
 }
 
 int
-ixgbe_vf_representor_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev __rte_unused)
+ixgbe_vf_representor_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev)
 {
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed because part of ixgbe_vf_info */
+	ethdev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
+
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/kni/rte_eth_kni.c b/drivers/net/kni/rte_eth_kni.c
index 72f3c16c1..f43ee7d2e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/kni/rte_eth_kni.c
+++ b/drivers/net/kni/rte_eth_kni.c
@@ -463,6 +463,9 @@ eth_kni_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 	if (eth_dev == NULL)
 		return -1;
 
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
+
 	if (rte_eal_process_type() != RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(eth_dev);
 
@@ -471,8 +474,6 @@ eth_kni_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 	internals = eth_dev->data->dev_private;
 	rte_kni_release(internals->kni);
 
-	rte_free(internals);
-
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	is_kni_initialized--;
diff --git a/drivers/net/liquidio/lio_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/liquidio/lio_ethdev.c
index 0f59e4475..d13ab06c0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/liquidio/lio_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/liquidio/lio_ethdev.c
@@ -2043,9 +2043,6 @@ lio_eth_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	/* lio_free_sc_buffer_pool */
 	lio_free_sc_buffer_pool(lio_dev);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	eth_dev->dev_ops = NULL;
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
diff --git a/drivers/net/mlx4/mlx4.c b/drivers/net/mlx4/mlx4.c
index 3de7bc53e..7f07b8dc0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mlx4/mlx4.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mlx4/mlx4.c
@@ -781,12 +781,17 @@ mlx4_pci_probe(struct rte_pci_driver *pci_drv, struct rte_pci_device *pci_dev)
 		continue;
 port_error:
 		rte_free(priv);
+		if (eth_dev != NULL)
+			eth_dev->data->dev_private = NULL;
 		if (pd)
 			claim_zero(mlx4_glue->dealloc_pd(pd));
 		if (ctx)
 			claim_zero(mlx4_glue->close_device(ctx));
-		if (eth_dev)
+		if (eth_dev != NULL) {
+			/* mac_addrs must not be freed because part of dev_private */
+			eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 			rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
+		}
 		break;
 	}
 	/*
diff --git a/drivers/net/mlx5/mlx5.c b/drivers/net/mlx5/mlx5.c
index 8cbfee1ba..b2be74b51 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mlx5/mlx5.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mlx5/mlx5.c
@@ -1223,11 +1223,16 @@ mlx5_dev_spawn(struct rte_device *dpdk_dev,
 		if (own_domain_id)
 			claim_zero(rte_eth_switch_domain_free(priv->domain_id));
 		rte_free(priv);
+		if (eth_dev != NULL)
+			eth_dev->data->dev_private = NULL;
 	}
 	if (pd)
 		claim_zero(mlx5_glue->dealloc_pd(pd));
-	if (eth_dev)
+	if (eth_dev != NULL) {
+		/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+		eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
+	}
 	if (ctx)
 		claim_zero(mlx5_glue->close_device(ctx));
 	assert(err > 0);
@@ -1447,8 +1452,8 @@ mlx5_pci_probe(struct rte_pci_driver *pci_drv __rte_unused,
 			if (!list[i].eth_dev)
 				continue;
 			mlx5_dev_close(list[i].eth_dev);
-			if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-				rte_free(list[i].eth_dev->data->dev_private);
+			/* mac_addrs must not be freed because in dev_private */
+			list[i].eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 			claim_zero(rte_eth_dev_release_port(list[i].eth_dev));
 		}
 		/* Restore original error. */
diff --git a/drivers/net/mvneta/mvneta_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/mvneta/mvneta_ethdev.c
index f7071bc2e..2d7666454 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mvneta/mvneta_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mvneta/mvneta_ethdev.c
@@ -787,8 +787,9 @@ mvneta_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 	priv = rte_zmalloc_socket(name, sizeof(*priv), 0, rte_socket_id());
 	if (!priv) {
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto out_free_dev;
+		goto out_free;
 	}
+	eth_dev->data->dev_private = priv;
 
 	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs =
 		rte_zmalloc("mac_addrs",
@@ -796,20 +797,19 @@ mvneta_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 	if (!eth_dev->data->mac_addrs) {
 		MVNETA_LOG(ERR, "Failed to allocate space for eth addrs");
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto out_free_priv;
+		goto out_free;
 	}
 
 	memset(&req, 0, sizeof(req));
 	strcpy(req.ifr_name, name);
 	ret = ioctl(fd, SIOCGIFHWADDR, &req);
 	if (ret)
-		goto out_free_mac;
+		goto out_free;
 
 	memcpy(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs[0].addr_bytes,
 	       req.ifr_addr.sa_data, ETHER_ADDR_LEN);
 
 	eth_dev->data->kdrv = RTE_KDRV_NONE;
-	eth_dev->data->dev_private = priv;
 	eth_dev->device = &vdev->device;
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = mvneta_rx_pkt_burst;
 	mvneta_set_tx_function(eth_dev);
@@ -817,11 +817,7 @@ mvneta_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 
 	rte_eth_dev_probing_finish(eth_dev);
 	return 0;
-out_free_mac:
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-out_free_priv:
-	rte_free(priv);
-out_free_dev:
+out_free:
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return ret;
@@ -836,8 +832,6 @@ mvneta_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 static void
 mvneta_eth_dev_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 {
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/mvpp2/mrvl_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/mvpp2/mrvl_ethdev.c
index 0682c635a..ab4c14e51 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mvpp2/mrvl_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mvpp2/mrvl_ethdev.c
@@ -2780,8 +2780,9 @@ mrvl_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 	priv = mrvl_priv_create(name);
 	if (!priv) {
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto out_free_dev;
+		goto out_free;
 	}
+	eth_dev->data->dev_private = priv;
 
 	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs =
 		rte_zmalloc("mac_addrs",
@@ -2789,20 +2790,19 @@ mrvl_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 	if (!eth_dev->data->mac_addrs) {
 		MRVL_LOG(ERR, "Failed to allocate space for eth addrs");
 		ret = -ENOMEM;
-		goto out_free_priv;
+		goto out_free;
 	}
 
 	memset(&req, 0, sizeof(req));
 	strcpy(req.ifr_name, name);
 	ret = ioctl(fd, SIOCGIFHWADDR, &req);
 	if (ret)
-		goto out_free_mac;
+		goto out_free;
 
 	memcpy(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs[0].addr_bytes,
 	       req.ifr_addr.sa_data, ETHER_ADDR_LEN);
 
 	eth_dev->data->kdrv = RTE_KDRV_NONE;
-	eth_dev->data->dev_private = priv;
 	eth_dev->device = &vdev->device;
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = mrvl_rx_pkt_burst;
 	mrvl_set_tx_function(eth_dev);
@@ -2810,12 +2810,8 @@ mrvl_eth_dev_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, const char *name)
 
 	rte_eth_dev_probing_finish(eth_dev);
 	return 0;
-out_free_mac:
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-out_free_dev:
+out_free:
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
-out_free_priv:
-	rte_free(priv);
 
 	return ret;
 }
@@ -2839,8 +2835,6 @@ mrvl_eth_dev_destroy(const char *name)
 	priv = eth_dev->data->dev_private;
 	pp2_bpool_deinit(priv->bpool);
 	used_bpools[priv->pp_id] &= ~(1 << priv->bpool_bit);
-	rte_free(priv);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/netvsc/hn_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/netvsc/hn_ethdev.c
index 8e728d639..aa38ee7a3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/netvsc/hn_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/netvsc/hn_ethdev.c
@@ -118,20 +118,11 @@ eth_dev_vmbus_allocate(struct rte_vmbus_device *dev, size_t private_data_size)
 static void
 eth_dev_vmbus_release(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 {
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	/* free ether device */
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
-	eth_dev->data->dev_private = NULL;
-
-	/*
-	 * Secondary process will check the name to attach.
-	 * Clear this field to avoid attaching a released ports.
-	 */
-	eth_dev->data->name[0] = '\0';
-
 	eth_dev->device = NULL;
 	eth_dev->intr_handle = NULL;
 }
@@ -829,8 +820,6 @@ eth_hn_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	rte_free(hv->primary);
 	rte_eth_dev_owner_delete(hv->owner.id);
 
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/null/rte_eth_null.c b/drivers/net/null/rte_eth_null.c
index 1e8237a41..b77283ae7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/null/rte_eth_null.c
+++ b/drivers/net/null/rte_eth_null.c
@@ -682,8 +682,8 @@ rte_pmd_null_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	if (rte_eal_process_type() != RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(eth_dev);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/octeontx/octeontx_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/octeontx/octeontx_ethdev.c
index 5431b44dc..746507912 100644
--- a/drivers/net/octeontx/octeontx_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/octeontx/octeontx_ethdev.c
@@ -1015,12 +1015,22 @@ octeontx_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, int port, uint8_t evdev,
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	/* Reserve an ethdev entry */
+	eth_dev = rte_eth_dev_allocate(octtx_name);
+	if (eth_dev == NULL) {
+		octeontx_log_err("failed to allocate rte_eth_dev");
+		res = -ENOMEM;
+		goto err;
+	}
+	data = eth_dev->data;
+
 	nic = rte_zmalloc_socket(octtx_name, sizeof(*nic), 0, socket_id);
 	if (nic == NULL) {
 		octeontx_log_err("failed to allocate nic structure");
 		res = -ENOMEM;
 		goto err;
 	}
+	data->dev_private = nic;
 
 	nic->port_id = port;
 	nic->evdev = evdev;
@@ -1037,21 +1047,11 @@ octeontx_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, int port, uint8_t evdev,
 		goto err;
 	}
 
-	/* Reserve an ethdev entry */
-	eth_dev = rte_eth_dev_allocate(octtx_name);
-	if (eth_dev == NULL) {
-		octeontx_log_err("failed to allocate rte_eth_dev");
-		res = -ENOMEM;
-		goto err;
-	}
-
 	eth_dev->device = &dev->device;
 	eth_dev->intr_handle = NULL;
 	eth_dev->data->kdrv = RTE_KDRV_NONE;
 	eth_dev->data->numa_node = dev->device.numa_node;
 
-	data = eth_dev->data;
-	data->dev_private = nic;
 	data->port_id = eth_dev->data->port_id;
 
 	nic->ev_queues = 1;
@@ -1103,12 +1103,7 @@ octeontx_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, int port, uint8_t evdev,
 	if (nic)
 		octeontx_port_close(nic);
 
-	if (eth_dev != NULL) {
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		rte_free(data);
-		rte_free(nic);
-		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
-	}
+	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return res;
 }
@@ -1142,8 +1137,6 @@ octeontx_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 		rte_event_dev_stop(nic->evdev);
 		PMD_INIT_LOG(INFO, "Closing octeontx device %s", octtx_name);
 
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
 		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 		rte_event_dev_close(nic->evdev);
 	}
diff --git a/drivers/net/pcap/rte_eth_pcap.c b/drivers/net/pcap/rte_eth_pcap.c
index ede5ebb45..1790a8064 100644
--- a/drivers/net/pcap/rte_eth_pcap.c
+++ b/drivers/net/pcap/rte_eth_pcap.c
@@ -1232,11 +1232,9 @@ pmd_pcap_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(eth_dev);
 
 	internals = eth_dev->data->dev_private;
-	if (internals && internals->phy_mac)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
+	if (internals != NULL && internals->phy_mac == 0)
+		/* not dynamically allocated, must not be freed */
+		eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/qede/qede_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/qede/qede_ethdev.c
index 18d244a93..404859426 100644
--- a/drivers/net/qede/qede_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/qede/qede_ethdev.c
@@ -2666,11 +2666,6 @@ static int qede_dev_common_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 
-	if (eth_dev->data->mac_addrs)
-		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/ring/rte_eth_ring.c b/drivers/net/ring/rte_eth_ring.c
index bfe2f1780..aeb48f5ec 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ring/rte_eth_ring.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ring/rte_eth_ring.c
@@ -666,10 +666,8 @@ rte_pmd_ring_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 		}
 	}
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->rx_queues);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->tx_queues);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/sfc/sfc_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/sfc/sfc_ethdev.c
index b2e17f26e..3886daf7a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/sfc/sfc_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/sfc/sfc_ethdev.c
@@ -2035,9 +2035,6 @@ sfc_eth_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	sfc_detach(sa);
 	sfc_unprobe(sa);
 
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	sfc_kvargs_cleanup(sa);
 
 	sfc_adapter_unlock(sa);
diff --git a/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic.c b/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic.c
index 0fd264e25..9a2418438 100644
--- a/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/softnic/rte_eth_softnic.c
@@ -556,7 +556,6 @@ static int
 pmd_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 {
 	struct rte_eth_dev *dev = NULL;
-	struct pmd_internals *p;
 
 	if (!vdev)
 		return -EINVAL;
@@ -567,12 +566,12 @@ pmd_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 	dev = rte_eth_dev_allocated(rte_vdev_device_name(vdev));
 	if (dev == NULL)
 		return -ENODEV;
-	p = dev->data->dev_private;
 
 	/* Free device data structures*/
-	rte_free(dev->data);
+	pmd_free(dev->data->dev_private);
+	dev->data->dev_private = NULL; /* already freed */
+	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL; /* statically allocated */
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(dev);
-	pmd_free(p);
 
 	return 0;
 }
diff --git a/drivers/net/szedata2/rte_eth_szedata2.c b/drivers/net/szedata2/rte_eth_szedata2.c
index 4e5e01cf1..88448eff6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/szedata2/rte_eth_szedata2.c
+++ b/drivers/net/szedata2/rte_eth_szedata2.c
@@ -1544,7 +1544,6 @@ rte_szedata2_eth_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 	PMD_INIT_FUNC_TRACE();
 
 	free(internals->sze_dev_path);
-	rte_free(dev->data->mac_addrs);
 
 	PMD_DRV_LOG(INFO, "%s device %s successfully uninitialized",
 			RTE_STR(RTE_SZEDATA2_DRIVER_NAME), dev->data->name);
diff --git a/drivers/net/tap/rte_eth_tap.c b/drivers/net/tap/rte_eth_tap.c
index 84aaf2410..2327fbf8c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/tap/rte_eth_tap.c
+++ b/drivers/net/tap/rte_eth_tap.c
@@ -1808,6 +1808,8 @@ eth_dev_tap_create(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev, char *tap_name,
 error_exit:
 	if (pmd->ioctl_sock > 0)
 		close(pmd->ioctl_sock);
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(dev);
 
 error_exit_nodev:
@@ -2076,6 +2078,9 @@ rte_pmd_tap_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	if (!eth_dev)
 		return -ENODEV;
 
+	/* mac_addrs must not be freed alone because part of dev_private */
+	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
+
 	if (rte_eal_process_type() != RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(eth_dev);
 
@@ -2102,7 +2107,6 @@ rte_pmd_tap_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *dev)
 	}
 
 	close(internals->ioctl_sock);
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	if (internals->ka_fd != -1) {
diff --git a/drivers/net/vhost/rte_eth_vhost.c b/drivers/net/vhost/rte_eth_vhost.c
index a7604ff23..cf51c072d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/vhost/rte_eth_vhost.c
+++ b/drivers/net/vhost/rte_eth_vhost.c
@@ -1220,10 +1220,12 @@ eth_dev_vhost_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, char *iface_name,
 	eth_dev = rte_eth_vdev_allocate(dev, sizeof(*internal));
 	if (eth_dev == NULL)
 		goto error;
+	data = eth_dev->data;
 
 	eth_addr = rte_zmalloc_socket(name, sizeof(*eth_addr), 0, numa_node);
 	if (eth_addr == NULL)
 		goto error;
+	data->mac_addrs = eth_addr;
 	*eth_addr = base_eth_addr;
 	eth_addr->addr_bytes[5] = eth_dev->data->port_id;
 
@@ -1253,13 +1255,11 @@ eth_dev_vhost_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, char *iface_name,
 	rte_spinlock_init(&vring_state->lock);
 	vring_states[eth_dev->data->port_id] = vring_state;
 
-	data = eth_dev->data;
 	data->nb_rx_queues = queues;
 	data->nb_tx_queues = queues;
 	internal->max_queues = queues;
 	internal->vid = -1;
 	data->dev_link = pmd_link;
-	data->mac_addrs = eth_addr;
 	data->dev_flags = RTE_ETH_DEV_INTR_LSC;
 
 	eth_dev->dev_ops = &ops;
@@ -1291,10 +1291,7 @@ eth_dev_vhost_create(struct rte_vdev_device *dev, char *iface_name,
 		free(internal->dev_name);
 	}
 	rte_free(vring_state);
-	rte_free(eth_addr);
-	if (eth_dev)
-		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
-	rte_free(internal);
+	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 	rte_free(list);
 
 	return -1;
diff --git a/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_ethdev.c
index 730c41707..10a7e3fcc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_ethdev.c
@@ -1706,9 +1706,6 @@ eth_virtio_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->rx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	/* reset interrupt callback  */
 	if (eth_dev->data->dev_flags & RTE_ETH_DEV_INTR_LSC)
 		rte_intr_callback_unregister(eth_dev->intr_handle,
diff --git a/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_user_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_user_ethdev.c
index 525d16cab..420364b7a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_user_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/virtio/virtio_user_ethdev.c
@@ -422,7 +422,6 @@ virtio_user_eth_dev_alloc(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 	if (!dev) {
 		PMD_INIT_LOG(ERR, "malloc virtio_user_dev failed");
 		rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
-		rte_free(hw);
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
@@ -449,7 +448,6 @@ virtio_user_eth_dev_free(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	struct virtio_hw *hw = data->dev_private;
 
 	rte_free(hw->virtio_user_dev);
-	rte_free(hw);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 }
 
@@ -662,7 +660,6 @@ virtio_user_pmd_remove(struct rte_vdev_device *vdev)
 	dev = hw->virtio_user_dev;
 	virtio_user_dev_uninit(dev);
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(eth_dev);
 
 	return 0;
diff --git a/drivers/net/vmxnet3/vmxnet3_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/vmxnet3/vmxnet3_ethdev.c
index 78e5b7680..41bcd450a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/vmxnet3/vmxnet3_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/vmxnet3/vmxnet3_ethdev.c
@@ -368,9 +368,6 @@ eth_vmxnet3_dev_uninit(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_burst = NULL;
 	eth_dev->tx_pkt_prepare = NULL;
 
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
-	eth_dev->data->mac_addrs = NULL;
-
 	return 0;
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev.c b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev.c
index 571f0e850..3bc05f4c3 100644
--- a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev.c
+++ b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev.c
@@ -388,7 +388,14 @@ rte_eth_dev_release_port(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 
 	eth_dev->state = RTE_ETH_DEV_UNUSED;
 
-	memset(eth_dev->data, 0, sizeof(struct rte_eth_dev_data));
+	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY) {
+		rte_free(eth_dev->data->rx_queues);
+		rte_free(eth_dev->data->tx_queues);
+		rte_free(eth_dev->data->mac_addrs);
+		rte_free(eth_dev->data->hash_mac_addrs);
+		rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
+		memset(eth_dev->data, 0, sizeof(struct rte_eth_dev_data));
+	}
 
 	rte_spinlock_unlock(&rte_eth_dev_shared_data->ownership_lock);
 
@@ -3529,7 +3536,7 @@ rte_eth_dev_create(struct rte_device *device, const char *name,
 			if (!ethdev->data->dev_private) {
 				RTE_LOG(ERR, EAL, "failed to allocate private data");
 				retval = -ENOMEM;
-				goto data_alloc_failed;
+				goto probe_failed;
 			}
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -3561,14 +3568,9 @@ rte_eth_dev_create(struct rte_device *device, const char *name,
 	rte_eth_dev_probing_finish(ethdev);
 
 	return retval;
-probe_failed:
-	/* free ports private data if primary process */
-	if (rte_eal_process_type() == RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
-		rte_free(ethdev->data->dev_private);
 
-data_alloc_failed:
+probe_failed:
 	rte_eth_dev_release_port(ethdev);
-
 	return retval;
 }
 
@@ -3592,9 +3594,6 @@ rte_eth_dev_destroy(struct rte_eth_dev *ethdev,
 	if (rte_eal_process_type() != RTE_PROC_PRIMARY)
 		return rte_eth_dev_release_port_secondary(ethdev);
 
-	rte_free(ethdev->data->dev_private);
-	ethdev->data->dev_private = NULL;
-
 	return rte_eth_dev_release_port(ethdev);
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_core.h b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_core.h
index 03ec4992a..9fb826e1d 100644
--- a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_core.h
+++ b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_core.h
@@ -579,7 +579,10 @@ struct rte_eth_dev_data {
 
 	struct rte_eth_dev_sriov sriov;    /**< SRIOV data */
 
-	void *dev_private;              /**< PMD-specific private data */
+	void *dev_private;
+			/**< PMD-specific private data.
+			 *   @see rte_eth_dev_release_port()
+			 */
 
 	struct rte_eth_link dev_link;   /**< Link-level information & status. */
 	struct rte_eth_conf dev_conf;   /**< Configuration applied to device. */
@@ -588,11 +591,16 @@ struct rte_eth_dev_data {
 			/**< Common RX buffer size handled by all queues. */
 
 	uint64_t rx_mbuf_alloc_failed; /**< RX ring mbuf allocation failures. */
-	struct ether_addr *mac_addrs;  /**< Device Ethernet link address. */
+	struct ether_addr *mac_addrs;
+			/**< Device Ethernet link address.
+			 *   @see rte_eth_dev_release_port()
+			 */
 	uint64_t mac_pool_sel[ETH_NUM_RECEIVE_MAC_ADDR];
 			/**< Bitmap associating MAC addresses to pools. */
 	struct ether_addr *hash_mac_addrs;
-			/**< Device Ethernet MAC addresses of hash filtering. */
+			/**< Device Ethernet MAC addresses of hash filtering.
+			 *   @see rte_eth_dev_release_port()
+			 */
 	uint16_t port_id;           /**< Device [external] port identifier. */
 
 	__extension__
diff --git a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_driver.h b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_driver.h
index ca31b5777..66274be7a 100644
--- a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_driver.h
+++ b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_driver.h
@@ -58,7 +58,14 @@ struct rte_eth_dev *rte_eth_dev_attach_secondary(const char *name);
 
 /**
  * @internal
- * Release the specified ethdev port.
+ * Notify RTE_ETH_EVENT_DESTROY and release the specified ethdev port.
+ *
+ * The following PMD-managed data fields will be freed:
+ *   - dev_private
+ *   - mac_addrs
+ *   - hash_mac_addrs
+ * If one of these fields should not be freed,
+ * it must be reset to NULL by the PMD, typically in dev_close method.
  *
  * @param eth_dev
  * Device to be detached.
diff --git a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_pci.h b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_pci.h
index 70d2d2503..8ff4f6b89 100644
--- a/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_pci.h
+++ b/lib/librte_ethdev/rte_ethdev_pci.h
@@ -142,16 +142,6 @@ rte_eth_dev_pci_release(struct rte_eth_dev *eth_dev)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	/* primary process */
-	rte_free(eth_dev->data->dev_private);
-	eth_dev->data->dev_private = NULL;
-
-	/*
-	 * Secondary process will check the name to attach.
-	 * Clear this field to avoid attaching a released ports.
-	 */
-	eth_dev->data->name[0] = '\0';
-
 	eth_dev->device = NULL;
 	eth_dev->intr_handle = NULL;
 
