diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index afabac6eddd8..3e8d341f7795 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -1961,7 +1961,8 @@ static void gsm1_receive(struct gsm_mux *gsm, unsigned char c)
 		}
 		/* Any partial frame was a runt so go back to start */
 		if (gsm->state != GSM_START) {
-			gsm->malformed++;
+			if (gsm->state != GSM_SEARCH)
+				gsm->malformed++;
 			gsm->state = GSM_START;
 		}
 		/* A SOF in GSM_START means we are still reading idling or