1 files changed, 6 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/drivers/net/benet/be_main.c b/drivers/net/benet/be_main.c
index c36cd2ffbadc..93354eee2cfd 100644
--- a/drivers/net/benet/be_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/benet/be_main.c
@@ -2458,6 +2458,12 @@ int be_load_fw(struct be_adapter *adapter, u8 *func)
         int status, i = 0, num_imgs = 0;
         const u8 *p;
 
+        if (!netif_running(adapter->netdev)) {
+                dev_err(&adapter->pdev->dev,
+                        "Firmware load not allowed (interface is down)\n");
+                return -EPERM;
+        }
+
         strcpy(fw_file, func);
 
         status = request_firmware(&fw, fw_file, &adapter->pdev->dev);