diff --git a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
index 56cbe00126bb..32867e7637ad 100644
--- a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
+++ b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
@@ -4453,8 +4453,16 @@ static int virtnet_probe(struct virtio_device *vdev)
 			dev->features |= dev->hw_features & NETIF_F_ALL_TSO;
 		/* (!csum && gso) case will be fixed by register_netdev() */
 	}
-	if (virtio_has_feature(vdev, VIRTIO_NET_F_GUEST_CSUM))
-		dev->features |= NETIF_F_RXCSUM;
+
+	/* 1. With VIRTIO_NET_F_GUEST_CSUM negotiation, the driver doesn't
+	 * need to calculate checksums for partially checksummed packets,
+	 * as they're considered valid by the upper layer.
+	 * 2. Without VIRTIO_NET_F_GUEST_CSUM negotiation, the driver only
+	 * receives fully checksummed packets. The device may assist in
+	 * validating these packets' checksums, so the driver won't have to.
+	 */
+	dev->features |= NETIF_F_RXCSUM;
+
 	if (virtio_has_feature(vdev, VIRTIO_NET_F_GUEST_TSO4) ||
 	    virtio_has_feature(vdev, VIRTIO_NET_F_GUEST_TSO6))
 		dev->features |= NETIF_F_GRO_HW;