diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy.c
index a3bfb156c83d..beb2b66da132 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy.c
@@ -815,7 +815,12 @@ int phy_ethtool_ksettings_set(struct phy_device *phydev,
 	phydev->mdix_ctrl = cmd->base.eth_tp_mdix_ctrl;
 
 	/* Restart the PHY */
-	_phy_start_aneg(phydev);
+	if (phy_is_started(phydev)) {
+		phydev->state = PHY_UP;
+		phy_trigger_machine(phydev);
+	} else {
+		_phy_start_aneg(phydev);
+	}
 
 	mutex_unlock(&phydev->lock);
 	return 0;