diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000/e1000_main.c b/drivers/net/e1000/e1000_main.c
index 71d4fe15976a..b455dca0901e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000/e1000_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000/e1000_main.c
@@ -2646,6 +2646,8 @@ static void e1000_watchdog(unsigned long data)
 			 * (Do the reset outside of interrupt context). */
 			adapter->tx_timeout_count++;
 			schedule_work(&adapter->reset_task);
+			/* return immediately since reset is imminent */
+			return;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000e/netdev.c b/drivers/net/e1000e/netdev.c
index da6b37e05bea..ccaaee0951cf 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000e/netdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000e/netdev.c
@@ -3651,6 +3651,8 @@ link_up:
 			 */
 			adapter->tx_timeout_count++;
 			schedule_work(&adapter->reset_task);
+			/* return immediately since reset is imminent */
+			return;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c b/drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c
index 8de8629b07ec..8784c051707e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/igb/igb_main.c
@@ -2711,6 +2711,8 @@ link_up:
 			 * (Do the reset outside of interrupt context). */
 			adapter->tx_timeout_count++;
 			schedule_work(&adapter->reset_task);
+			/* return immediately since reset is imminent */
+			return;
 		}
 	}
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/ixgb/ixgb_main.c b/drivers/net/ixgb/ixgb_main.c
index cb9ecc48f6d0..04cb81a739c2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ixgb/ixgb_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ixgb/ixgb_main.c
@@ -1140,6 +1140,8 @@ ixgb_watchdog(unsigned long data)
 			 * to get done, so reset controller to flush Tx.
 			 * (Do the reset outside of interrupt context). */
 			schedule_work(&adapter->tx_timeout_task);
+			/* return immediately since reset is imminent */
+			return;
 		}
 	}