diff --git a/drivers/net/tsec.c b/drivers/net/tsec.c
index 6ca399532e..af0d27a8e3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/tsec.c
+++ b/drivers/net/tsec.c
@@ -683,7 +683,10 @@ static int init_phy(struct tsec_private *priv)
 		tsec_configure_serdes(priv);
 
 #if defined(CONFIG_DM_ETH) && defined(CONFIG_DM_MDIO)
-	phydev = dm_eth_phy_connect(priv->dev);
+	if (ofnode_valid(ofnode_find_subnode(priv->dev->node, "fixed-link")))
+		phydev = phy_connect(NULL, 0, priv->dev, priv->interface);
+	else
+		phydev = dm_eth_phy_connect(priv->dev);
 #else
 	phydev = phy_connect(priv->bus, priv->phyaddr, priv->dev,
 			     priv->interface);