--- sys/dev/ixgbe/if_ix.c	(revision 296921)
+++ sys/dev/ixgbe/if_ix.c	(working copy)
@@ -4756,10 +4756,6 @@ ixgbe_sysctl_advertise(SYSCTL_HANDLER_ARGS)
 	if ((error) || (req->newptr == NULL))
 		return (error);
 
-	/* Checks to validate new value */
-	if (adapter->advertise == advertise) /* no change */
-		return (0);
-
 	return ixgbe_set_advertise(adapter, advertise);
 }
 
@@ -4773,6 +4769,10 @@ ixgbe_set_advertise(struct adapter *adapter, int a
 	hw = &adapter->hw;
 	dev = adapter->dev;
 
+	/* Checks to validate new value */
+	if (adapter->advertise == advertise) /* no change */
+		return (0);
+
 	/* No speed changes for backplane media */
 	if (hw->phy.media_type == ixgbe_media_type_backplane)
 		return (ENODEV);