diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/micrel/ks8851_common.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/micrel/ks8851_common.c
index 4afbb40bc0e4..d49f281c7867 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/micrel/ks8851_common.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/micrel/ks8851_common.c
@@ -143,9 +143,6 @@ static int ks8851_write_mac_addr(struct net_device *dev)
 		ks8851_wrreg16(ks, KS_MAR(i), val);
 	}
 
-	if (!netif_running(dev))
-		ks8851_set_powermode(ks, PMECR_PM_SOFTDOWN);
-
 	ks8851_unlock(ks);
 
 	return 0;
@@ -478,8 +475,7 @@ static int ks8851_net_open(struct net_device *dev)
  * @dev: The device being closed.
  *
  * Called to close down a network device which has been active. Cancel any
- * work, shutdown the RX and TX process and then place the chip into a low
- * power state whilst it is not being used.
+ * work and shutdown the RX and TX process.
  */
 static int ks8851_net_stop(struct net_device *dev)
 {
@@ -506,8 +502,6 @@ static int ks8851_net_stop(struct net_device *dev)
 	/* shutdown TX process */
 	ks8851_wrreg16(ks, KS_TXCR, 0x0000);
 
-	/* set powermode to soft power down to save power */
-	ks8851_set_powermode(ks, PMECR_PM_SOFTDOWN);
 	ks8851_unlock(ks);
 
 	/* ensure any queued tx buffers are dumped */