diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/smsc.c b/drivers/net/phy/smsc.c
index e0eadea4b4b5b..1b54684b68a07 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/smsc.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/smsc.c
@@ -91,7 +91,9 @@ static irqreturn_t smsc_phy_handle_interrupt(struct phy_device *phydev)
 
 	irq_status = phy_read(phydev, MII_LAN83C185_ISF);
 	if (irq_status < 0) {
-		phy_error(phydev);
+		if (irq_status != -ENODEV)
+			phy_error(phydev);
+
 		return IRQ_NONE;
 	}