diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index f6f63ba6593a..9c21894d0518 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -1996,7 +1996,10 @@ static enum mac_version rtl8169_get_mac_version(u16 xid, bool gmii)
 
 		/* 8168F family. */
 		{ 0x7c8, 0x488,	RTL_GIGA_MAC_VER_38 },
-		{ 0x7cf, 0x481,	RTL_GIGA_MAC_VER_36 },
+		/* It seems this chip version never made it to
+		 * the wild. Let's disable detection.
+		 * { 0x7cf, 0x481,	RTL_GIGA_MAC_VER_36 },
+		 */
 		{ 0x7cf, 0x480,	RTL_GIGA_MAC_VER_35 },
 
 		/* 8168E family. */