diff --git a/drivers/net/can/sja1000/sja1000.c b/drivers/net/can/sja1000/sja1000.c
index f31499a32d7d..052b4edaab43 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/sja1000/sja1000.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/sja1000/sja1000.c
@@ -183,6 +183,9 @@ static void sja1000_start(struct net_device *dev)
 	priv->write_reg(priv, SJA1000_RXERR, 0x0);
 	priv->read_reg(priv, SJA1000_ECC);
 
+	/* clear interrupt flags */
+	priv->read_reg(priv, SJA1000_IR);
+
 	/* leave reset mode */
 	set_normal_mode(dev);
 }