diff --git a/sys/pci/if_xl.c b/sys/pci/if_xl.c
index f869af2251e..8e3096dbf50 100644
--- a/sys/pci/if_xl.c
+++ b/sys/pci/if_xl.c
@@ -2100,9 +2100,11 @@ xl_rxeof_task(void *arg, int pending)
 {
 	struct xl_softc *sc = (struct xl_softc *)arg;
 
+	NET_LOCK_GIANT();
 	XL_LOCK(sc);
 	xl_rxeof(sc);
 	XL_UNLOCK(sc);
+	NET_UNLOCK_GIANT();
 }
 
 /*