diff --git a/net/sched/sch_red.c b/net/sched/sch_red.c
index d5e934c..76e8df8 100644
--- a/net/sched/sch_red.c
+++ b/net/sched/sch_red.c
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
 
 	skb = qdisc_dequeue_head(sch);
 
-	if (skb == NULL)
+	if (skb == NULL && !red_is_idling(&q->parms))
 		red_start_of_idle_period(&q->parms);
 
 	return skb;
@@ -154,7 +154,9 @@
 		return len;
 	}
 
-	red_start_of_idle_period(&q->parms);
+	if (!red_is_idling(&q->parms))
+		red_start_of_idle_period(&q->parms);
+
 	return 0;
 }