diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_main.c
index 002a374f197b..78219a9943a7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_main.c
@@ -927,7 +927,6 @@ static void gem_rx_refill(struct macb_queue *queue)
 		/* Make hw descriptor updates visible to CPU */
 		rmb();
 
-		queue->rx_prepared_head++;
 		desc = macb_rx_desc(queue, entry);
 
 		if (!queue->rx_skbuff[entry]) {
@@ -966,6 +965,7 @@ static void gem_rx_refill(struct macb_queue *queue)
 			dma_wmb();
 			desc->addr &= ~MACB_BIT(RX_USED);
 		}
+		queue->rx_prepared_head++;
 	}
 
 	/* Make descriptor updates visible to hardware */