diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/ethtool.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/ethtool.c
index 8f2070439b59..c9d0c12d6f04 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/ethtool.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/ethtool.c
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@ static int ixgbevf_get_settings(struct net_device *netdev,
 	ecmd->transceiver = XCVR_DUMMY1;
 	ecmd->port = -1;
 
+	hw->mac.get_link_status = 1;
 	hw->mac.ops.check_link(hw, &link_speed, &link_up, false);
 
 	if (link_up) {