diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
index 637f6ed78b48..2d01eaeb703a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/i40e/i40e_main.c
@@ -409,7 +409,9 @@ static void i40e_tx_timeout(struct net_device *netdev)
 		set_bit(__I40E_GLOBAL_RESET_REQUESTED, pf->state);
 		break;
 	default:
-		netdev_err(netdev, "tx_timeout recovery unsuccessful\n");
+		netdev_err(netdev, "tx_timeout recovery unsuccessful, device is in non-recoverable state.\n");
+		set_bit(__I40E_DOWN_REQUESTED, pf->state);
+		set_bit(__I40E_VSI_DOWN_REQUESTED, vsi->state);
 		break;
 	}