diff --git a/grub-core/net/drivers/ieee1275/ofnet.c b/grub-core/net/drivers/ieee1275/ofnet.c
index cc29d0987..20d45ee3d 100644
--- a/grub-core/net/drivers/ieee1275/ofnet.c
+++ b/grub-core/net/drivers/ieee1275/ofnet.c
@@ -253,6 +253,7 @@ grub_ofnet_findcards (void)
 	card->flags = 0;
 	shortname = find_alias (alias->path);
 	card->name = grub_xasprintf ("ofnet_%s", shortname ? : alias->path);
+	card->idle_poll_delay_ms = 1;
 	grub_free (shortname);
 
 	card->driver = &ofdriver;
diff --git a/grub-core/net/net.c b/grub-core/net/net.c
index bc16fbde5..641aebd64 100644
--- a/grub-core/net/net.c
+++ b/grub-core/net/net.c
@@ -768,6 +768,7 @@ receive_packets (struct grub_net_card *card)
       if (!nb)
 	{
 	  grub_print_error ();
+	  card->last_poll = grub_get_time_ms ();
 	  return;
 	}
 
@@ -775,6 +776,7 @@ receive_packets (struct grub_net_card *card)
       if (actual < 0)
 	{
 	  grub_netbuff_free (nb);
+	  card->last_poll = grub_get_time_ms ();
 	  break;
 	}
       grub_net_recv_ethernet_packet (nb, card);
@@ -800,7 +802,13 @@ grub_net_poll_cards_idle_real (void)
 {
   struct grub_net_card *card;
   FOR_NET_CARDS (card)
-    receive_packets (card);
+  {
+    grub_uint64_t ctime = grub_get_time_ms ();
+
+    if (ctime < card->last_poll
+	|| ctime >= card->last_poll + card->idle_poll_delay_ms)
+      receive_packets (card);
+  }
 }
 
 /*  Read from the packets list*/
diff --git a/include/grub/net.h b/include/grub/net.h
index 92e637d89..45d08f3f5 100644
--- a/include/grub/net.h
+++ b/include/grub/net.h
@@ -95,6 +95,8 @@ struct grub_net_card
   grub_net_card_flags_t flags;
   int num_ifaces;
   int opened;
+  unsigned idle_poll_delay_ms;
+  grub_uint64_t last_poll;
   union
   {
 #ifdef GRUB_MACHINE_EFI