diff --git a/drivers/net/can/dev/dev.c b/drivers/net/can/dev/dev.c
index e3d840b81357..ed2841a681d7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/dev/dev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/dev/dev.c
@@ -141,7 +141,8 @@ static void can_restart(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct can_frame *cf;
 	int err;
 
-	BUG_ON(netif_carrier_ok(dev));
+	if (netif_carrier_ok(dev))
+		netdev_err(dev, "Attempt to restart for bus-off recovery, but carrier is OK?\n");
 
 	/* No synchronization needed because the device is bus-off and
 	 * no messages can come in or go out.