diff --git a/drivers/net/i40e/base/i40e_common.c b/drivers/net/i40e/base/i40e_common.c
index a2661cf2d0..2ad9448b01 100644
--- a/drivers/net/i40e/base/i40e_common.c
+++ b/drivers/net/i40e/base/i40e_common.c
@@ -2746,7 +2746,10 @@ enum i40e_status_code i40e_update_link_info(struct i40e_hw *hw)
 	if (status)
 		return status;
 
-	if (hw->phy.link_info.link_info & I40E_AQ_MEDIA_AVAILABLE) {
+	/* extra checking needed to ensure link info to user is timely */
+	if ((hw->phy.link_info.link_info & I40E_AQ_MEDIA_AVAILABLE) &&
+	    ((hw->phy.link_info.link_info & I40E_AQ_LINK_UP) ||
+	     !(hw->phy.link_info_old.link_info & I40E_AQ_LINK_UP))) {
 		status = i40e_aq_get_phy_capabilities(hw, false, false,
 						      &abilities, NULL);
 		if (status)