diff --git a/hw/rtl8139.c b/hw/rtl8139.c
index 2413bc3d25..eb22d04fad 100644
--- a/hw/rtl8139.c
+++ b/hw/rtl8139.c
@@ -791,6 +791,9 @@ static int rtl8139_can_receive(VLANClientState *nc)
       return 1;
     if (!rtl8139_receiver_enabled(s))
       return 1;
+    /* network/host communication happens only in normal mode */
+    if ((s->Cfg9346 & Chip9346_op_mask) != Cfg9346_Normal)
+	return 0;
 
     if (rtl8139_cp_receiver_enabled(s)) {
         /* ??? Flow control not implemented in c+ mode.
@@ -833,6 +836,12 @@ static ssize_t rtl8139_do_receive(VLANClientState *nc, const uint8_t *buf, size_
         return -1;
     }
 
+    /* check whether we are in normal mode */
+    if ((s->Cfg9346 & Chip9346_op_mask) != Cfg9346_Normal) {
+        DPRINTF("not in normal op mode\n");
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     /* XXX: check this */
     if (s->RxConfig & AcceptAllPhys) {
         /* promiscuous: receive all */