diff --git a/sys/dev/nge/if_nge.c b/sys/dev/nge/if_nge.c
index 6f680c38ea24..832ec1b23ff5 100644
--- a/sys/dev/nge/if_nge.c
+++ b/sys/dev/nge/if_nge.c
@@ -2102,27 +2102,6 @@ nge_init_locked(struct nge_softc *sc)
 	 */
 	nge_list_tx_init(sc);
 
-	/*
-	 * For the NatSemi chip, we have to explicitly enable the
-	 * reception of ARP frames, as well as turn on the 'perfect
-	 * match' filter where we store the station address, otherwise
-	 * we won't receive unicasts meant for this host.
-	 */
-	NGE_SETBIT(sc, NGE_RXFILT_CTL, NGE_RXFILTCTL_ARP);
-	NGE_SETBIT(sc, NGE_RXFILT_CTL, NGE_RXFILTCTL_PERFECT);
-
-	/*
-	 * Set the capture broadcast bit to capture broadcast frames.
-	 */
-	if (ifp->if_flags & IFF_BROADCAST) {
-		NGE_SETBIT(sc, NGE_RXFILT_CTL, NGE_RXFILTCTL_BROAD);
-	} else {
-		NGE_CLRBIT(sc, NGE_RXFILT_CTL, NGE_RXFILTCTL_BROAD);
-	}
-
-	/* Turn the receive filter on. */
-	NGE_SETBIT(sc, NGE_RXFILT_CTL, NGE_RXFILTCTL_ENABLE);
-
 	/* Set Rx filter. */
 	nge_rxfilter(sc);
 
@@ -2335,9 +2314,9 @@ nge_ioctl(struct ifnet *ifp, u_long command, caddr_t data)
 	case SIOCADDMULTI:
 	case SIOCDELMULTI:
 		NGE_LOCK(sc);
-		nge_rxfilter(sc);
+		if ((ifp->if_drv_flags & IFF_DRV_RUNNING) != 0)
+			nge_rxfilter(sc);
 		NGE_UNLOCK(sc);
-		error = 0;
 		break;
 	case SIOCGIFMEDIA:
 	case SIOCSIFMEDIA: