MLX5E_SET_PFLAG(params, MLX5E_PFLAG_RX_CQE_COMPRESS, params->rx_cqe_compress_def);
 
        /* RQ */
-       if (mlx5e_striding_rq_possible(mdev, params))
-               MLX5E_SET_PFLAG(params, MLX5E_PFLAG_RX_STRIDING_RQ,
-                               !slow_pci_heuristic(mdev));
+       /* Prefer Striding RQ, unless any of the following holds:
+        * - Striding RQ configuration is not possible/supported.
+        * - Slow PCI heuristic.
+        * - Legacy RQ would use linear SKB while Striding RQ would use non-linear.
+        */
+       if (!slow_pci_heuristic(mdev) &&
+           mlx5e_striding_rq_possible(mdev, params) &&
+           (mlx5e_rx_mpwqe_is_linear_skb(mdev, params) ||
+            !mlx5e_rx_is_linear_skb(mdev, params)))
+               MLX5E_SET_PFLAG(params, MLX5E_PFLAG_RX_STRIDING_RQ, true);
        mlx5e_set_rq_type(mdev, params);
        mlx5e_init_rq_type_params(mdev, params);