diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/netdev.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/netdev.c
index 8bbedfc9c48f..f56f8b6e2378 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/netdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000e/netdev.c
@@ -5291,13 +5291,8 @@ static void e1000_watchdog_task(struct work_struct *work)
 			/* 8000ES2LAN requires a Rx packet buffer work-around
 			 * on link down event; reset the controller to flush
 			 * the Rx packet buffer.
-			 *
-			 * If the link is lost the controller stops DMA, but
-			 * if there is queued Tx work it cannot be done.  So
-			 * reset the controller to flush the Tx packet buffers.
 			 */
-			if ((adapter->flags & FLAG_RX_NEEDS_RESTART) ||
-			    e1000_desc_unused(tx_ring) + 1 < tx_ring->count)
+			if (adapter->flags & FLAG_RX_NEEDS_RESTART)
 				adapter->flags |= FLAG_RESTART_NOW;
 			else
 				pm_schedule_suspend(netdev->dev.parent,
@@ -5320,6 +5315,14 @@ link_up:
 	adapter->gotc_old = adapter->stats.gotc;
 	spin_unlock(&adapter->stats64_lock);
 
+	/* If the link is lost the controller stops DMA, but
+	 * if there is queued Tx work it cannot be done.  So
+	 * reset the controller to flush the Tx packet buffers.
+	 */
+	if (!netif_carrier_ok(netdev) &&
+	    (e1000_desc_unused(tx_ring) + 1 < tx_ring->count))
+		adapter->flags |= FLAG_RESTART_NOW;
+
 	/* If reset is necessary, do it outside of interrupt context. */
 	if (adapter->flags & FLAG_RESTART_NOW) {
 		schedule_work(&adapter->reset_task);