diff --git a/drivers/net/fddi/skfp/skfddi.c b/drivers/net/fddi/skfp/skfddi.c
index a273362c9e70..feea7baa4816 100644
--- a/drivers/net/fddi/skfp/skfddi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/fddi/skfp/skfddi.c
@@ -928,7 +928,8 @@ static int skfp_ctl_set_mac_address(struct net_device *dev, void *addr)
 
 	dev_addr_set(dev, p_sockaddr->sa_data);
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&bp->DriverLock, Flags);
-	ResetAdapter(smc);
+	if (netif_running(dev))
+		ResetAdapter(smc);
 	spin_unlock_irqrestore(&bp->DriverLock, Flags);
 
 	return 0;		/* always return zero */