diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.c
index ee54648a3c6d..290debbe1f48 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169.c
@@ -775,9 +775,9 @@ static bool rtl_loop_wait(struct rtl8169_private *tp, const struct rtl_cond *c,
 	int i;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < n; i++) {
-		delay(d);
 		if (c->check(tp) == high)
 			return true;
+		delay(d);
 	}
 	netif_err(tp, drv, tp->dev, "%s == %d (loop: %d, delay: %d).\n",
 		  c->msg, !high, n, d);