diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index a8c82f5d769b..3e210a430fb3 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -868,7 +868,7 @@ static int gsm_dlci_data_output_framed(struct gsm_mux *gsm,
 
 	/* dlci->skb is locked by tx_lock */
 	if (dlci->skb == NULL) {
-		dlci->skb = skb_dequeue(&dlci->skb_list);
+		dlci->skb = skb_dequeue_tail(&dlci->skb_list);
 		if (dlci->skb == NULL)
 			return 0;
 		first = 1;
@@ -892,8 +892,11 @@ static int gsm_dlci_data_output_framed(struct gsm_mux *gsm,
 
 	/* FIXME: need a timer or something to kick this so it can't
 	   get stuck with no work outstanding and no buffer free */
-	if (msg == NULL)
+	if (msg == NULL) {
+		skb_queue_tail(&dlci->skb_list, dlci->skb);
+		dlci->skb = NULL;
 		return -ENOMEM;
+	}
 	dp = msg->data;
 
 	if (dlci->adaption == 4) { /* Interruptible framed (Packetised Data) */