diff --git a/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.c b/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.c
index 2a9649d..50ba4f4 100644
--- a/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.c
+++ b/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.c
@@ -2130,6 +2130,8 @@
 	struct hermon_event_queue *hermon_eq = &hermon->eq;
 	union hermonprm_event_entry *eqe;
 	union hermonprm_doorbell_register db_reg;
+	unsigned long now;
+	unsigned long elapsed;
 	unsigned int eqe_idx_mask;
 	unsigned int event_type;
 
@@ -2138,7 +2140,12 @@
 	 */
 	if ( ib_is_open ( ibdev ) &&
 	     ( ibdev->port_state == IB_PORT_STATE_DOWN ) ) {
-		ib_smc_update ( ibdev, hermon_mad );
+		now = currticks();
+		elapsed = ( now - hermon->last_poll );
+		if ( elapsed >= HERMON_LINK_POLL_INTERVAL ) {
+			hermon->last_poll = now;
+			ib_smc_update ( ibdev, hermon_mad );
+		}
 	}
 
 	/* Poll event queue */
diff --git a/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.h b/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.h
index 61f3b04..6d7471d 100644
--- a/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.h
+++ b/src/drivers/infiniband/hermon.h
@@ -894,6 +894,8 @@
 
 	/** Event queue */
 	struct hermon_event_queue eq;
+	/** Last unsolicited link state poll */
+	unsigned long last_poll;
 	/** Unrestricted LKey
 	 *
 	 * Used to get unrestricted memory access.
@@ -930,6 +932,13 @@
 /** Memory key prefix */
 #define HERMON_MKEY_PREFIX		0x77000000UL
 
+/** Link poll interval
+ *
+ * Used when we need to poll for link state (rather than relying upon
+ * receiving an event).
+ */
+#define HERMON_LINK_POLL_INTERVAL	( TICKS_PER_SEC / 2 )
+
 /*
  * HCA commands
  *