diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/ehea/ehea_main.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/ehea/ehea_main.c
index 54efa9a5167b..bd719e25dd76 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/ehea/ehea_main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/ibm/ehea/ehea_main.c
@@ -2446,6 +2446,8 @@ static int ehea_open(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	netif_info(port, ifup, dev, "enabling port\n");
 
+	netif_carrier_off(dev);
+
 	ret = ehea_up(dev);
 	if (!ret) {
 		port_napi_enable(port);