diff --git a/drivers/net/bnx2.c b/drivers/net/bnx2.c
index f38764ec02c3..65df1de447e4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bnx2.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bnx2.c
@@ -666,6 +666,7 @@ bnx2_netif_stop(struct bnx2 *bp)
 			txq->trans_start = jiffies;
 		}
 	}
+	bnx2_disable_int_sync(bp);
 }
 
 static void
@@ -679,7 +680,6 @@ bnx2_netif_start(struct bnx2 *bp)
 			bnx2_cnic_start(bp);
 		}
 	}
-	bnx2_disable_int_sync(bp);
 }
 
 static void