diff --git a/drivers/net/rtl8168d/src/device.rs b/drivers/net/rtl8168d/src/device.rs
index f140a31243..de3da17bff 100644
--- a/drivers/net/rtl8168d/src/device.rs
+++ b/drivers/net/rtl8168d/src/device.rs
@@ -342,6 +342,31 @@ impl Rtl8168 {
         // Lock config
         self.regs.cmd_9346.write(0);
 
+        // Read physical link state. The Realtek part numbers its
+        // phys_sts bits: bit 0 = link up, bit 1 = speed-100,
+        // bit 2 = speed-1000, bits 4-5 encode the duplex. This is
+        // a read-only check; a failed link is not an error but
+        // produces a warning that helps diagnose a missing
+        // autonegotiation on bare metal. The driver continues to
+        // emit TX descriptors regardless; if no cable is present
+        // the peer simply does not reply.
+        let phys_sts = self.regs.phys_sts.read();
+        if phys_sts & 0x01 == 0 {
+            log::warn!(
+                "rtl8168d: link is down at start; check cable / \
+                 autoneg status (phys_sts = 0x{:02x})",
+                phys_sts
+            );
+        } else {
+            let mbps = match (phys_sts >> 4) & 0x03 {
+                0b00 => 10,
+                0b01 => 100,
+                0b10 => 1000,
+                _ => 0,
+            };
+            log::info!("rtl8168d: link up at {} Mb/s", mbps);
+        }
+
         log::debug!("Complete!");
         Ok(())
     }