diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_ptp.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_ptp.c
index 6d9166389988..14ae57fa00cb 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_ptp.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/cadence/macb_ptp.c
@@ -50,7 +50,12 @@ static int gem_tsu_get_time(struct ptp_clock_info *ptp, struct timespec64 *ts,
 
 	spin_lock_irqsave(&bp->tsu_clk_lock, flags);
 	ptp_read_system_prets(sts);
+	/* explicit barriers are needed because gem_readl() is relaxed */
+	if (sts)
+		rmb();
 	first = gem_readl(bp, TN);
+	if (sts)
+		rmb();
 	ptp_read_system_postts(sts);
 	secl = gem_readl(bp, TSL);
 	sech = gem_readl(bp, TSH);
@@ -62,7 +67,11 @@ static int gem_tsu_get_time(struct ptp_clock_info *ptp, struct timespec64 *ts,
 		 * (assume all done within 1s)
 		 */
 		ptp_read_system_prets(sts);
+		if (sts)
+			rmb();
 		ts->tv_nsec = gem_readl(bp, TN);
+		if (sts)
+			rmb();
 		ptp_read_system_postts(sts);
 		secl = gem_readl(bp, TSL);
 		sech = gem_readl(bp, TSH);