diff --git a/drivers/net/mv643xx_eth.c b/drivers/net/mv643xx_eth.c
index a56d9d2df73f..b3185bf2c158 100644
--- a/drivers/net/mv643xx_eth.c
+++ b/drivers/net/mv643xx_eth.c
@@ -2274,8 +2274,6 @@ static void port_start(struct mv643xx_eth_private *mp)
 		pscr |= FORCE_LINK_PASS;
 	wrlp(mp, PORT_SERIAL_CONTROL, pscr);
 
-	wrlp(mp, SDMA_CONFIG, PORT_SDMA_CONFIG_DEFAULT_VALUE);
-
 	/*
 	 * Configure TX path and queues.
 	 */
@@ -2957,6 +2955,8 @@ static int mv643xx_eth_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 
 	netif_carrier_off(dev);
 
+	wrlp(mp, SDMA_CONFIG, PORT_SDMA_CONFIG_DEFAULT_VALUE);
+
 	set_rx_coal(mp, 250);
 	set_tx_coal(mp, 0);