diff --git a/drivers/net/qlcnic/qlcnic_main.c b/drivers/net/qlcnic/qlcnic_main.c
index bf6d87a..4ecbf41 100644
--- a/drivers/net/qlcnic/qlcnic_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/qlcnic/qlcnic_main.c
@@ -2733,7 +2733,7 @@
 	if (qlcnic_api_lock(adapter))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	if (first_func) {
+	if (adapter->op_mode != QLCNIC_NON_PRIV_FUNC && first_func) {
 		adapter->need_fw_reset = 1;
 		set_bit(__QLCNIC_START_FW, &adapter->state);
 		QLCWR32(adapter, QLCNIC_CRB_DEV_STATE, QLCNIC_DEV_INITIALIZING);