diff --git a/net/dsa/slave.c b/net/dsa/slave.c
index 865e29e62bad..242e74b9d454 100644
--- a/net/dsa/slave.c
+++ b/net/dsa/slave.c
@@ -1219,6 +1219,9 @@ int dsa_slave_suspend(struct net_device *slave_dev)
 {
 	struct dsa_slave_priv *p = netdev_priv(slave_dev);
 
+	if (!netif_running(slave_dev))
+		return 0;
+
 	netif_device_detach(slave_dev);
 
 	if (p->phy) {
@@ -1236,6 +1239,9 @@ int dsa_slave_resume(struct net_device *slave_dev)
 {
 	struct dsa_slave_priv *p = netdev_priv(slave_dev);
 
+	if (!netif_running(slave_dev))
+		return 0;
+
 	netif_device_attach(slave_dev);
 
 	if (p->phy) {