diff --git a/drivers/net/e1000.c b/drivers/net/e1000.c
index 423201b5333..2f3d9922e82 100644
--- a/drivers/net/e1000.c
+++ b/drivers/net/e1000.c
@@ -498,6 +498,11 @@ 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 328bfd1bf9c..9645b2e0b64 100644
--- a/drivers/net/igc.c
+++ b/drivers/net/igc.c
@@ -456,6 +456,11 @@ 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;