diff --git a/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c b/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
index 0102517be5b4..95d8b9a3da80 100644
--- a/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
+++ b/sys/dev/e1000/if_em.c
@@ -4044,6 +4044,7 @@ em_setup_receive_ring(struct rx_ring *rxr)
 			    BUS_DMASYNC_POSTREAD);
 			bus_dmamap_unload(rxr->rxtag, rxbuf->map);
 			m_freem(rxbuf->m_head);
+			rxbuf->m_head = NULL; /* mark as freed */
 		}
 	}