diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x550.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x550.c
index 8466f3874a28..5029db8835d7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x550.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbe/ixgbe_x550.c
@@ -2597,6 +2597,9 @@ static s32 ixgbe_reset_hw_X550em(struct ixgbe_hw *hw)
 	/* flush pending Tx transactions */
 	ixgbe_clear_tx_pending(hw);
 
+	/* set MDIO speed before talking to the PHY in case it's the 1st time */
+	ixgbe_set_mdio_speed(hw);
+
 	/* PHY ops must be identified and initialized prior to reset */
 
 	/* Identify PHY and related function pointers */