diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/smsc/smsc911x.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/smsc/smsc911x.c
index a0fc151da40db..5e13fa5524ae9 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/smsc/smsc911x.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/smsc/smsc911x.c
@@ -2477,6 +2477,8 @@ static int smsc911x_drv_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 		goto out_disable_resources;
 	}
 
+	netif_carrier_off(dev);
+
 	retval = register_netdev(dev);
 	if (retval) {
 		SMSC_WARN(pdata, probe, "Error %i registering device", retval);