diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index 4ce18b42c37ac..2e3da8a4697e4 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -2044,7 +2044,8 @@ 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