diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c b/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
index 019b9c0bcdcb..692251b60915 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000e/ich8lan.c
@@ -398,6 +398,8 @@ static s32 e1000_acquire_swflag_ich8lan(struct e1000_hw *hw)
 
 	if (!timeout) {
 		hw_dbg(hw, "FW or HW has locked the resource for too long.\n");
+		extcnf_ctrl &= ~E1000_EXTCNF_CTRL_SWFLAG;
+		ew32(EXTCNF_CTRL, extcnf_ctrl);
 		return -E1000_ERR_CONFIG;
 	}