Index: sys/dev/vnic/nicvf_main.c
===================================================================
--- sys/dev/vnic/nicvf_main.c
+++ sys/dev/vnic/nicvf_main.c
@@ -661,12 +661,6 @@
 
 	sq = &qs->sq[qidx];
 
-	if (((if_getdrvflags(ifp) & (IFF_DRV_RUNNING | IFF_DRV_OACTIVE)) !=
-	    IFF_DRV_RUNNING) || !nic->link_up) {
-		err = drbr_enqueue(ifp, sq->br, mbuf);
-		return (err);
-	}
-
 	if (mbuf->m_next != NULL &&
 	    (mbuf->m_pkthdr.csum_flags &
 	    (CSUM_IP | CSUM_TCP | CSUM_UDP | CSUM_SCTP)) != 0) {
@@ -680,8 +674,15 @@
 	}
 
 	err = drbr_enqueue(ifp, sq->br, mbuf);
-	if (err != 0)
+	if (((if_getdrvflags(ifp) & (IFF_DRV_RUNNING | IFF_DRV_OACTIVE)) !=
+	    IFF_DRV_RUNNING) || !nic->link_up || (err != 0)) {
+		/*
+		 * Try to enqueue packet to the ring buffer.
+		 * If the driver is not active, link down or enqueue operation
+		 * failed, return with the appropriate error code.
+		 */
 		return (err);
+	}
 
 	if (NICVF_TX_TRYLOCK(sq) != 0) {
 		err = nicvf_xmit_locked(sq);