diff --git a/src/drivers/net/intel.c b/src/drivers/net/intel.c
index 3eb1a377..8153e095 100644
--- a/src/drivers/net/intel.c
+++ b/src/drivers/net/intel.c
@@ -491,9 +491,6 @@ static int intel_open ( struct net_device *netdev ) {
 	if ( ( rc = intel_create_ring ( intel, &intel->rx ) ) != 0 )
 		goto err_create_rx;
 
-	/* Fill receive ring */
-	intel_refill_rx ( intel );
-
 	/* Program MAC address */
 	memset ( &mac, 0, sizeof ( mac ) );
 	memcpy ( mac.raw, netdev->ll_addr, sizeof ( mac.raw ) );
@@ -515,6 +512,9 @@ static int intel_open ( struct net_device *netdev ) {
 		  INTEL_RCTL_BAM | INTEL_RCTL_BSIZE_2048 | INTEL_RCTL_SECRC );
 	writel ( rctl, intel->regs + INTEL_RCTL );
 
+	/* Fill receive ring */
+	intel_refill_rx ( intel );
+
 	/* Update link state */
 	intel_check_link ( netdev );