diff --git a/drivers/net/r8169.c b/drivers/net/r8169.c
index 15d954e50..6693a30 100644
--- a/drivers/net/r8169.c
+++ b/drivers/net/r8169.c
@@ -572,8 +572,8 @@
 {
 	unsigned int val;
 
-	mdio_write(ioaddr, MII_BMCR, BMCR_RESET);
-	val = mdio_read(ioaddr, MII_BMCR);
+	val = mdio_read(ioaddr, MII_BMCR) | BMCR_RESET;
+	mdio_write(ioaddr, MII_BMCR, val & 0xffff);
 }
 
 static void rtl8169_check_link_status(struct net_device *dev,