diff --git a/sys/dev/bce/if_bce.c b/sys/dev/bce/if_bce.c
index 45b6c14e1122..da63eaf4385b 100644
--- a/sys/dev/bce/if_bce.c
+++ b/sys/dev/bce/if_bce.c
@@ -4853,8 +4853,13 @@ bce_ioctl(struct ifnet *ifp, u_long command, caddr_t data)
 
 			/* Check if the interface is up. */
 			if (ifp->if_flags & IFF_UP) {
-				/* Change the promiscuous/multicast flags as necessary. */
-				bce_set_rx_mode(sc);
+				if (ifp->if_drv_flags & IFF_DRV_RUNNING) {
+					/* Change the promiscuous/multicast flags as necessary. */
+					bce_set_rx_mode(sc);
+				} else {
+					/* Start the HW */
+					bce_init_locked(sc);
+				}
 			} else {
 				/* The interface is down.  Check if the driver is running. */
 				if (ifp->if_drv_flags & IFF_DRV_RUNNING) {