--- a/ipq806x/nss_gmac_tx_rx_offload.c
+++ b/ipq806x/nss_gmac_tx_rx_offload.c
@@ -1027,8 +1027,10 @@ int nss_gmac_close(struct net_device *ne
 	nss_gmac_disable_interrupt_all(gmacdev);
 	gmacdev->data_plane_ops->link_state(gmacdev->data_plane_ctx, 0);
 
-	if (!IS_ERR(gmacdev->phydev))
-		phy_stop(gmacdev->phydev);
+	if (!IS_ERR(gmacdev->phydev)) {
+		if (test_bit(__NSS_GMAC_LINKPOLL, &gmacdev->flags))
+			phy_stop(gmacdev->phydev);
+	}
 
 	clear_bit(__NSS_GMAC_UP, &gmacdev->flags);
 	clear_bit(__NSS_GMAC_CLOSING, &gmacdev->flags);