diff --git a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
index 40e4237b0a3a..34e425264a7a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
+++ b/drivers/net/usb/usbnet.c
@@ -1521,7 +1521,7 @@ usbnet_probe (struct usb_interface *udev, const struct usb_device_id *prod)
 	netif_device_attach (net);
 
 	if (dev->driver_info->flags & FLAG_LINK_INTR)
-		netif_carrier_off(net);
+		usbnet_link_change(dev, 0, 0);
 
 	return 0;