diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c b/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
index 20447741893a..095ef3fe369a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/mdio_bus.c
@@ -443,9 +443,13 @@ static bool mdio_bus_phy_may_suspend(struct phy_device *phydev)
 	if (!drv || !phydrv->suspend)
 		return false;
 
-	/* PHY not attached? May suspend. */
+	/* PHY not attached? May suspend if the PHY has not already been
+	 * suspended as part of a prior call to phy_disconnect() ->
+	 * phy_detach() -> phy_suspend() because the parent netdev might be the
+	 * MDIO bus driver and clock gated at this point.
+	 */
 	if (!netdev)
-		return true;
+		return !phydev->suspended;
 
 	/* Don't suspend PHY if the attched netdev parent may wakeup.
 	 * The parent may point to a PCI device, as in tg3 driver.