diff --git a/drivers/net/gianfar.c b/drivers/net/gianfar.c
index 4e97ca182997..5d3763fb3472 100644
--- a/drivers/net/gianfar.c
+++ b/drivers/net/gianfar.c
@@ -1649,6 +1649,7 @@ static void free_skb_resources(struct gfar_private *priv)
 			sizeof(struct rxbd8) * priv->total_rx_ring_size,
 			priv->tx_queue[0]->tx_bd_base,
 			priv->tx_queue[0]->tx_bd_dma_base);
+	skb_queue_purge(&priv->rx_recycle);
 }
 
 void gfar_start(struct net_device *dev)
@@ -2088,7 +2089,6 @@ static int gfar_close(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	disable_napi(priv);
 
-	skb_queue_purge(&priv->rx_recycle);
 	cancel_work_sync(&priv->reset_task);
 	stop_gfar(dev);