diff --git a/drivers/net/sun3lance.c b/drivers/net/sun3lance.c
index 4bb8f72c65cc..e5beb299cbd0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/sun3lance.c
+++ b/drivers/net/sun3lance.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static int lance_open( struct net_device *dev )
 	while (--i > 0)
 		if (DREG & CSR0_IDON)
 			break;
-	if (i < 0 || (DREG & CSR0_ERR)) {
+	if (i <= 0 || (DREG & CSR0_ERR)) {
 		DPRINTK( 2, ( "lance_open(): opening %s failed, i=%d, csr0=%04x\n",
 					  dev->name, i, DREG ));
 		DREG = CSR0_STOP;