diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/igb/igb_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/igb/igb_main.c
index 34b33b21e0dc..68be2976f539 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/igb/igb_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/igb/igb_main.c
@@ -5505,7 +5505,8 @@ static void igb_watchdog_task(struct work_struct *work)
 				break;
 			}
 
-			if (adapter->link_speed != SPEED_1000)
+			if (adapter->link_speed != SPEED_1000 ||
+			    !hw->phy.ops.read_reg)
 				goto no_wait;
 
 			/* wait for Remote receiver status OK */