diff --git a/drivers/net/pcmcia/3c589_cs.c b/drivers/net/pcmcia/3c589_cs.c
index 6f8d7e2..322e11d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/pcmcia/3c589_cs.c
+++ b/drivers/net/pcmcia/3c589_cs.c
@@ -711,7 +711,11 @@
 	(inb(ioaddr + EL3_TIMER) == 0xff)) {
 	if (!lp->fast_poll)
 	    printk(KERN_WARNING "%s: interrupt(s) dropped!\n", dev->name);
+
+	local_irq_save(flags);
 	el3_interrupt(dev->irq, dev);
+	local_irq_restore(flags);
+
 	lp->fast_poll = HZ;
     }
     if (lp->fast_poll) {