diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/b44.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/b44.c
index 3e4fb3c3e834..1be6d14030bc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/b44.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/b44.c
@@ -2009,12 +2009,14 @@ static int b44_set_pauseparam(struct net_device *dev,
 		bp->flags |= B44_FLAG_TX_PAUSE;
 	else
 		bp->flags &= ~B44_FLAG_TX_PAUSE;
-	if (bp->flags & B44_FLAG_PAUSE_AUTO) {
-		b44_halt(bp);
-		b44_init_rings(bp);
-		b44_init_hw(bp, B44_FULL_RESET);
-	} else {
-		__b44_set_flow_ctrl(bp, bp->flags);
+	if (netif_running(dev)) {
+		if (bp->flags & B44_FLAG_PAUSE_AUTO) {
+			b44_halt(bp);
+			b44_init_rings(bp);
+			b44_init_hw(bp, B44_FULL_RESET);
+		} else {
+			__b44_set_flow_ctrl(bp, bp->flags);
+		}
 	}
 	spin_unlock_irq(&bp->lock);