diff --git a/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktchkr.c b/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktchkr.c
index 84bb567a41..12a5abb2f7 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktchkr.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktchkr.c
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ ark_pktchkr_stopped(ark_pkt_chkr_t handle)
 	struct ark_pkt_chkr_inst *inst = (struct ark_pkt_chkr_inst *)handle;
 	uint32_t r = inst->sregs->pkt_start_stop;
 
-	return (((r >> 16) & 1) == 1);
+	return (((r >> 16) & 1) == 1) || (r == 0);
 }
 
 void
diff --git a/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktgen.c b/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktgen.c
index 515bfe461c..6195ef997f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktgen.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ark/ark_pktgen.c
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ ark_pktgen_paused(ark_pkt_gen_t handle)
 	struct ark_pkt_gen_inst *inst = (struct ark_pkt_gen_inst *)handle;
 	uint32_t r = inst->regs->pkt_start_stop;
 
-	return (((r >> 16) & 1) == 1);
+	return (((r >> 24) & 1) == 1) || (((r >> 16) & 1) == 1)  || (r == 0);
 }
 
 void