diff --git a/drivers/net/skge.c b/drivers/net/skge.c
index 59359409da7a..53d2059a6604 100644
--- a/drivers/net/skge.c
+++ b/drivers/net/skge.c
@@ -2190,9 +2190,12 @@ static void yukon_mac_init(struct skge_hw *hw, int port)
 			 TX_JAM_IPG_VAL(TX_JAM_IPG_DEF) |
 			 TX_IPG_JAM_DATA(TX_IPG_JAM_DEF));
 
-	/* serial mode register */
-	reg = GM_SMOD_VLAN_ENA | IPG_DATA_VAL(IPG_DATA_DEF);
-	if (hw->dev[port]->mtu > 1500)
+	/* configure the Serial Mode Register */
+	reg = DATA_BLIND_VAL(DATA_BLIND_DEF)
+		| GM_SMOD_VLAN_ENA
+		| IPG_DATA_VAL(IPG_DATA_DEF);
+
+	if (hw->dev[port]->mtu > ETH_DATA_LEN)
 		reg |= GM_SMOD_JUMBO_ENA;
 
 	gma_write16(hw, port, GM_SERIAL_MODE, reg);