diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
index 74d320879513..b67b580f7f1c 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/intel/ixgbevf/vf.c
@@ -852,7 +852,8 @@ static s32 ixgbevf_check_mac_link_vf(struct ixgbe_hw *hw,
 	if (!mac->get_link_status)
 		goto out;
 
-	if (hw->mac.type == ixgbe_mac_e610_vf) {
+	if (hw->mac.type == ixgbe_mac_e610_vf &&
+	    hw->api_version >= ixgbe_mbox_api_16) {
 		ret_val = ixgbevf_get_pf_link_state(hw, speed, link_up);
 		if (ret_val)
 			goto out;