diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bnx2x/bnx2x_cmn.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bnx2x/bnx2x_cmn.c
index dcafbda3e5be..ec96130533cc 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bnx2x/bnx2x_cmn.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bnx2x/bnx2x_cmn.c
@@ -2959,6 +2959,10 @@ int bnx2x_nic_unload(struct bnx2x *bp, int unload_mode, bool keep_link)
 
 	bp->port.pmf = 0;
 
+	/* clear pending work in rtnl task */
+	bp->sp_rtnl_state = 0;
+	smp_mb();
+
 	/* Free SKBs, SGEs, TPA pool and driver internals */
 	bnx2x_free_skbs(bp);
 	if (CNIC_LOADED(bp))