diff --git a/net/ipv4/tcp_output.c b/net/ipv4/tcp_output.c
index 597e888af36d..b28596655d73 100644
--- a/net/ipv4/tcp_output.c
+++ b/net/ipv4/tcp_output.c
@@ -3606,12 +3606,15 @@ int __tcp_retransmit_skb(struct sock *sk, struct sk_buff *skb, int segs)
 			tcp_retrans_try_collapse(sk, skb, avail_wnd);
 	}
 
-	/* RFC3168, section 6.1.1.1. ECN fallback
-	 * As AccECN uses the same SYN flags (+ AE), this check covers both
-	 * cases.
-	 */
-	if ((TCP_SKB_CB(skb)->tcp_flags & TCPHDR_SYN_ECN) == TCPHDR_SYN_ECN)
-		tcp_ecn_clear_syn(sk, skb);
+	if (!tcp_ecn_mode_pending(tp) || icsk->icsk_retransmits > 1) {
+		/* RFC3168, section 6.1.1.1. ECN fallback
+		 * As AccECN uses the same SYN flags (+ AE), this check
+		 * covers both cases.
+		 */
+		if ((TCP_SKB_CB(skb)->tcp_flags & TCPHDR_SYN_ECN) ==
+		    TCPHDR_SYN_ECN)
+			tcp_ecn_clear_syn(sk, skb);
+	}
 
 	/* Update global and local TCP statistics. */
 	segs = tcp_skb_pcount(skb);