diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_ethtool.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_ethtool.c
index 83e557c7f279..52129b214c09 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_ethtool.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_ethtool.c
@@ -665,7 +665,8 @@ err_setup_rx:
 err_alloc_rx:
 	kfree(txdr);
 err_alloc_tx:
-	e1000_up(adapter);
+	if (netif_running(adapter->netdev))
+		e1000_up(adapter);
 err_setup:
 	clear_bit(__E1000_RESETTING, &adapter->flags);
 	return err;