diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000.c b/drivers/net/e1000.c
index 5d9c5bf7c1a..10b24ffd7a9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000.c
@@ -572,6 +572,11 @@ static int e1000_transmit(FAR struct netdev_lowerhalf_s *dev,
       return -EINVAL;
     }
 
+  if (!IFF_IS_RUNNING(dev->netdev.d_flags))
+    {
+      return -ENETDOWN;
+    }
+
   /* Store TX packet reference */
 
   priv->tx_pkt[priv->tx_now] = pkt;
diff --git a/drivers/net/igc.c b/drivers/net/igc.c
index 5cb5e9a3e12..c3b689f2b63 100644
--- a/drivers/net/igc.c
+++ b/drivers/net/igc.c
@@ -526,6 +526,11 @@ static int igc_transmit(FAR struct netdev_lowerhalf_s *dev,
       return -EINVAL;
     }
 
+  if (!IFF_IS_RUNNING(dev->netdev.d_flags))
+    {
+      return -ENETDOWN;
+    }
+
   /* Store TX packet reference */
 
   priv->tx_pkt[priv->tx_now] = pkt;