diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/net/rtnetlink.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/net/rtnetlink.sh
index 383ac6fc037d..ba286d680fd9 100755
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/net/rtnetlink.sh
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/net/rtnetlink.sh
@@ -860,6 +860,7 @@ EOF
 	fi
 
 	# clean up any leftovers
+	echo 0 > /sys/bus/netdevsim/del_device
 	$probed && rmmod netdevsim
 
 	if [ $ret -ne 0 ]; then