diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/spacemit/k1_emac.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/spacemit/k1_emac.c
index e1c5faff3b71..220eb5ce7583 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/spacemit/k1_emac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/spacemit/k1_emac.c
@@ -1441,6 +1441,9 @@ static int emac_set_pauseparam(struct net_device *dev,
 	struct emac_priv *priv = netdev_priv(dev);
 	u8 fc = 0;
 
+	if (!netif_running(dev))
+		return -ENETDOWN;
+
 	priv->flow_control_autoneg = pause->autoneg;
 
 	if (pause->autoneg) {