diff --git a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
index 472ed6df2221..7118b8263760 100644
--- a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
+++ b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
@@ -1949,8 +1949,8 @@ static int virtnet_probe(struct virtio_device *vdev)
 
 	/* Assume link up if device can't report link status,
 	   otherwise get link status from config. */
+	netif_carrier_off(dev);
 	if (virtio_has_feature(vi->vdev, VIRTIO_NET_F_STATUS)) {
-		netif_carrier_off(dev);
 		schedule_work(&vi->config_work);
 	} else {
 		vi->status = VIRTIO_NET_S_LINK_UP;