diff --git a/drivers/net/nfp/flower/nfp_flower.c b/drivers/net/nfp/flower/nfp_flower.c
index aa8199dde2..e447258d97 100644
--- a/drivers/net/nfp/flower/nfp_flower.c
+++ b/drivers/net/nfp/flower/nfp_flower.c
@@ -369,8 +369,6 @@ nfp_flower_pf_recv_pkts(void *rx_queue,
 			break;
 		}
 
-		nb_hold++;
-
 		/*
 		 * Grab the mbuf and refill the descriptor with the
 		 * previously allocated mbuf
@@ -455,6 +453,7 @@ nfp_flower_pf_recv_pkts(void *rx_queue,
 		rxds->fld.dd = 0;
 		rxds->fld.dma_addr_hi = (dma_addr >> 32) & 0xff;
 		rxds->fld.dma_addr_lo = dma_addr & 0xffffffff;
+		nb_hold++;
 
 		rxq->rd_p++;
 		if (unlikely(rxq->rd_p == rxq->rx_count))