diff --git a/drivers/lance/lance.c b/drivers/lance/lance.c
index 09fba5044..70ae86837 100644
--- a/drivers/lance/lance.c
+++ b/drivers/lance/lance.c
@@ -494,6 +494,7 @@ message *mp;
   int port;
   ether_card_t *ec;
   message reply_mess;
+  static int first_time = 1;
 
 pci_init();
 
@@ -566,7 +567,11 @@ pci_init();
     ec->flags |= ECF_BROAD;
 
   ec->client = mp->m_source;
-  ec_reinit(ec);
+  if (first_time)
+  {
+     first_time = 0;
+     ec_reinit(ec);
+  }
 
   reply_mess.m_type = DL_CONF_REPLY;
   reply_mess.m3_i1 = mp->DL_PORT;