diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/3com/3c59x.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/3com/3c59x.c
index 8153a3e0a1a4..f9b74c0a8492 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/3com/3c59x.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/3com/3c59x.c
@@ -1842,7 +1842,7 @@ vortex_timer(unsigned long data)
 		ok = 1;
 	}
 
-	if (!netif_carrier_ok(dev))
+	if (dev->flags & IFF_SLAVE || !netif_carrier_ok(dev))
 		next_tick = 5*HZ;
 
 	if (vp->medialock)