diff --git a/drivers/net/bnx2.c b/drivers/net/bnx2.c
index 4bfc80812926..c3e2b279fca0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bnx2.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bnx2.c
@@ -653,7 +653,6 @@ static void
 bnx2_netif_stop(struct bnx2 *bp)
 {
 	bnx2_cnic_stop(bp);
-	bnx2_disable_int_sync(bp);
 	if (netif_running(bp->dev)) {
 		bnx2_napi_disable(bp);
 		netif_tx_disable(bp->dev);
@@ -672,6 +671,7 @@ bnx2_netif_start(struct bnx2 *bp)
 			bnx2_cnic_start(bp);
 		}
 	}
+	bnx2_disable_int_sync(bp);
 }
 
 static void