diff --git a/sys/dev/usb/net/if_axe.c b/sys/dev/usb/net/if_axe.c
index 0c7344c524f..8b30c5c4a88 100644
--- a/sys/dev/usb/net/if_axe.c
+++ b/sys/dev/usb/net/if_axe.c
@@ -1019,6 +1019,9 @@ axe_init(struct usb_ether *ue)
 
 	AXE_LOCK_ASSERT(sc, MA_OWNED);
 
+	if ((ifp->if_drv_flags & IFF_DRV_RUNNING) != 0)
+		return;
+
 	/* Cancel pending I/O */
 	axe_stop(ue);