diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
index a9a0dca0c03053..5288daaf59b5b9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/realtek/r8169_main.c
@@ -4380,7 +4380,7 @@ static void rtl_tx(struct net_device *dev, struct rtl8169_private *tp,
 		 * If skb is NULL then we come here again once a tx irq is
 		 * triggered after the last fragment is marked transmitted.
 		 */
-		if (tp->cur_tx != dirty_tx && skb)
+		if (READ_ONCE(tp->cur_tx) != dirty_tx && skb)
 			rtl8169_doorbell(tp);
 	}
 }