diff --git a/drivers/virtio/virtio_ring.c b/drivers/virtio/virtio_ring.c
index 72bf8bc0901..21d9a62767a 100644
--- a/drivers/virtio/virtio_ring.c
+++ b/drivers/virtio/virtio_ring.c
@@ -87,8 +87,11 @@ static int vring_add_buf(struct virtqueue *_vq,
 	if (vq->num_free < out + in) {
 		pr_debug("Can't add buf len %i - avail = %i\n",
 			 out + in, vq->num_free);
-		/* We notify *even if* VRING_USED_F_NO_NOTIFY is set here. */
-		vq->notify(&vq->vq);
+		/* FIXME: for historical reasons, we force a notify here if
+		 * there are outgoing parts to the buffer.  Presumably the
+		 * host should service the ring ASAP. */
+		if (out)
+			vq->notify(&vq->vq);
 		END_USE(vq);
 		return -ENOSPC;
 	}