diff --git a/hw/net/smc91c111.c b/hw/net/smc91c111.c
index f5963e2cbe12d6052c20d9840afb90e3daa47d72..a8e29b3b424cceee6a66af09f4d8a1a706d2dcb9 100644
--- a/hw/net/smc91c111.c
+++ b/hw/net/smc91c111.c
@@ -185,6 +185,7 @@ static void smc91c111_release_packet(smc91c111_state *s, int packet)
     s->allocated &= ~(1 << packet);
     if (s->tx_alloc == 0x80)
         smc91c111_tx_alloc(s);
+    qemu_flush_queued_packets(qemu_get_queue(s->nic));
 }
 
 /* Flush the TX FIFO.  */