diff --git a/hw/net/rtl8139.c b/hw/net/rtl8139.c
index 9369507422..7993f9f5b9 100644
--- a/hw/net/rtl8139.c
+++ b/hw/net/rtl8139.c
@@ -2575,6 +2575,9 @@ static void rtl8139_RxBufPtr_write(RTL8139State *s, uint32_t val)
     /* this value is off by 16 */
     s->RxBufPtr = MOD2(val + 0x10, s->RxBufferSize);
 
+    /* more buffer space may be available so try to receive */
+    qemu_flush_queued_packets(qemu_get_queue(s->nic));
+
     DPRINTF(" CAPR write: rx buffer length %d head 0x%04x read 0x%04x\n",
         s->RxBufferSize, s->RxBufAddr, s->RxBufPtr);
 }