diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x540.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x540.c
index e5101e91b6b5..8cc5eccfd651 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x540.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x540.c
@@ -751,16 +751,20 @@ static s32 ixgbe_blink_led_start_X540(struct ixgbe_hw *hw, u32 index)
 {
 	u32 macc_reg;
 	u32 ledctl_reg;
+	ixgbe_link_speed speed;
+	bool link_up;
 
 	/*
-	 * In order for the blink bit in the LED control register
-	 * to work, link and speed must be forced in the MAC. We
-	 * will reverse this when we stop the blinking.
+	 * Link should be up in order for the blink bit in the LED control
+	 * register to work. Force link and speed in the MAC if link is down.
+	 * This will be reversed when we stop the blinking.
 	 */
-	macc_reg = IXGBE_READ_REG(hw, IXGBE_MACC);
-	macc_reg |= IXGBE_MACC_FLU | IXGBE_MACC_FSV_10G | IXGBE_MACC_FS;
-	IXGBE_WRITE_REG(hw, IXGBE_MACC, macc_reg);
-
+	hw->mac.ops.check_link(hw, &speed, &link_up, false);
+	if (link_up == false) {
+		macc_reg = IXGBE_READ_REG(hw, IXGBE_MACC);
+		macc_reg |= IXGBE_MACC_FLU | IXGBE_MACC_FSV_10G | IXGBE_MACC_FS;
+		IXGBE_WRITE_REG(hw, IXGBE_MACC, macc_reg);
+	}
 	/* Set the LED to LINK_UP + BLINK. */
 	ledctl_reg = IXGBE_READ_REG(hw, IXGBE_LEDCTL);
 	ledctl_reg &= ~IXGBE_LED_MODE_MASK(index);