diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
index a17a4da7bc15..c85e3e29012c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/aquantia/atlantic/aq_nic.c
@@ -403,6 +403,8 @@ int aq_nic_start(struct aq_nic_s *self)
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto err_exit;
 
+	aq_nic_set_loopback(self);
+
 	err = self->aq_hw_ops->hw_start(self->aq_hw);
 	if (err < 0)
 		goto err_exit;
@@ -413,8 +415,6 @@ int aq_nic_start(struct aq_nic_s *self)
 
 	INIT_WORK(&self->service_task, aq_nic_service_task);
 
-	aq_nic_set_loopback(self);
-
 	timer_setup(&self->service_timer, aq_nic_service_timer_cb, 0);
 	aq_nic_service_timer_cb(&self->service_timer);