diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phylink.c b/drivers/net/phy/phylink.c
index 4b377b978a0b..cb85307f125b 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phylink.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phylink.c
@@ -1428,9 +1428,8 @@ static void phylink_sfp_link_down(void *upstream)
 	WARN_ON(!lockdep_rtnl_is_held());
 
 	set_bit(PHYLINK_DISABLE_LINK, &pl->phylink_disable_state);
+	queue_work(system_power_efficient_wq, &pl->resolve);
 	flush_work(&pl->resolve);
-
-	netif_carrier_off(pl->netdev);
 }
 
 static void phylink_sfp_link_up(void *upstream)