diff --git a/drivers/net/via-velocity.c b/drivers/net/via-velocity.c
index 4ceb441f2687..c93f58f5c6f2 100644
--- a/drivers/net/via-velocity.c
+++ b/drivers/net/via-velocity.c
@@ -2237,8 +2237,6 @@ static int velocity_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	/* Ensure chip is running */
 	pci_set_power_state(vptr->pdev, PCI_D0);
 
-	velocity_give_many_rx_descs(vptr);
-
 	velocity_init_registers(vptr, VELOCITY_INIT_COLD);
 
 	ret = request_irq(vptr->pdev->irq, velocity_intr, IRQF_SHARED,
@@ -2250,6 +2248,8 @@ static int velocity_open(struct net_device *dev)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
+	velocity_give_many_rx_descs(vptr);
+
 	mac_enable_int(vptr->mac_regs);
 	netif_start_queue(dev);
 	napi_enable(&vptr->napi);
@@ -2339,10 +2339,10 @@ static int velocity_change_mtu(struct net_device *dev, int new_mtu)
 
 		dev->mtu = new_mtu;
 
-		velocity_give_many_rx_descs(vptr);
-
 		velocity_init_registers(vptr, VELOCITY_INIT_COLD);
 
+		velocity_give_many_rx_descs(vptr);
+
 		mac_enable_int(vptr->mac_regs);
 		netif_start_queue(dev);