diff --git a/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c b/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
index fabbe76203bb..159c71e67716 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/serial/atmel_serial.c
@@ -1938,6 +1938,11 @@ static void atmel_flush_buffer(struct uart_port *port)
 		atmel_uart_writel(port, ATMEL_PDC_TCR, 0);
 		atmel_port->pdc_tx.ofs = 0;
 	}
+	/*
+	 * in uart_flush_buffer(), the xmit circular buffer has just
+	 * been cleared, so we have to reset tx_len accordingly.
+	 */
+	atmel_port->tx_len = 0;
 }
 
 /*