diff --git a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
index 80fbcc847c..7726a89d99 100644
--- a/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
+++ b/drivers/net/i40e/i40e_ethdev.c
@@ -12132,8 +12132,13 @@ i40e_set_mac_max_frame(struct rte_eth_dev *dev, uint16_t size)
 	enum i40e_status_code status;
 	bool can_be_set = true;
 
-	/* I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_BASET link up can be ignored */
-	if (hw->phy.media_type != I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_BASET) {
+	/*
+	 * I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_BASET link up can be ignored
+	 * I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_BASET link down that hw->phy.media_type
+	 * is I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_UNKNOWN
+	 */
+	if (hw->phy.media_type != I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_BASET &&
+	    hw->phy.media_type != I40E_MEDIA_TYPE_UNKNOWN) {
 		do {
 			update_link_reg(hw, &link);
 			if (link.link_status)