diff --git a/drivers/net/skge.c b/drivers/net/skge.c
index 39c6677dff5e..cc907a1a5ecc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/skge.c
+++ b/drivers/net/skge.c
@@ -2535,6 +2535,7 @@ static int skge_down(struct net_device *dev)
 		printk(KERN_INFO PFX "%s: disabling interface\n", dev->name);
 
 	netif_stop_queue(dev);
+	netif_carrier_off(dev);
 	if (hw->chip_id == CHIP_ID_GENESIS && hw->phy_type == SK_PHY_XMAC)
 		del_timer_sync(&skge->link_timer);