diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
index 903737adfc01..bad3f005faee 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
@@ -901,6 +901,11 @@ int phy_attach_direct(struct net_device *dev, struct phy_device *phydev,
 
 	phydev->state = PHY_READY;
 
+	/* Initial carrier state is off as the phy is about to be
+	 * (re)initialized.
+	 */
+	netif_carrier_off(phydev->attached_dev);
+
 	/* Do initial configuration here, now that
 	 * we have certain key parameters
 	 * (dev_flags and interface)