diff --git a/usr.sbin/bsnmpd/modules/snmp_hostres/hostres_device_tbl.c b/usr.sbin/bsnmpd/modules/snmp_hostres/hostres_device_tbl.c
index 8216acce27dc..a360898e6785 100644
--- a/usr.sbin/bsnmpd/modules/snmp_hostres/hostres_device_tbl.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/bsnmpd/modules/snmp_hostres/hostres_device_tbl.c
@@ -479,7 +479,9 @@ devd_socket_callback(int fd, void *arg __unused)
 	} else {
 		if (read_len == sizeof(buf))
 			goto again;
-		refresh_device_tbl(1);
+		/* Only refresh device table on a device add or remove event. */
+		if (buf[0] == '+' || buf[0] == '-')
+			refresh_device_tbl(1);
 	}
 }