diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_ethtool.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_ethtool.c
index 7b06f3592bd7..c9ba2cbbd518 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_ethtool.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/emulex/benet/be_ethtool.c
@@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ static int be_get_settings(struct net_device *netdev, struct ethtool_cmd *ecmd)
 				be_link_status_update(adapter, link_status);
 			if (link_speed)
 				et_speed = link_speed * 10;
-			else
+			else if (link_status)
 				et_speed = convert_to_et_speed(port_speed);
 		} else {
 			et_speed = adapter->phy.forced_port_speed;