diff --git a/drivers/net/3c59x.c b/drivers/net/3c59x.c
index 4ae78bf..3343cbd 100644
--- a/drivers/net/3c59x.c
+++ b/drivers/net/3c59x.c
@@ -1943,6 +1943,10 @@
 				 dev->name, media_tbl[dev->if_port].name, media_status);
 		ok = 1;
 	}
+
+	if (!netif_carrier_ok(dev))
+		next_tick = 5*HZ;
+
 	if ( ! ok) {
 		unsigned int config;