diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c b/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
index 523b9716a543..d115a6d30f29 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
@@ -1893,12 +1893,17 @@ static s32 e1000_reset_hw_ich8lan(struct e1000_hw *hw)
 		ctrl |= E1000_CTRL_PHY_RST;
 	}
 	ret_val = e1000_acquire_swflag_ich8lan(hw);
+	/* Whether or not the swflag was acquired, we need to reset the part */
 	hw_dbg(hw, "Issuing a global reset to ich8lan");
 	ew32(CTRL, (ctrl | E1000_CTRL_RST));
 	msleep(20);
 
-	/* release the swflag because it is not reset by hardware reset */
-	e1000_release_swflag_ich8lan(hw);
+	if (!ret_val) {
+		/* release the swflag because it is not reset by
+		 * hardware reset
+		 */
+		e1000_release_swflag_ich8lan(hw);
+	}
 
 	ret_val = e1000e_get_auto_rd_done(hw);
 	if (ret_val) {