diff --git a/Documentation/networking/dsa/dsa.rst b/Documentation/networking/dsa/dsa.rst
index a8d15dd2b42b7..e9517af5fe02e 100644
--- a/Documentation/networking/dsa/dsa.rst
+++ b/Documentation/networking/dsa/dsa.rst
@@ -273,10 +273,6 @@ will not make us go through the switch tagging protocol transmit function, so
 the Ethernet switch on the other end, expecting a tag will typically drop this
 frame.
 
-Slave network devices check that the master network device is UP before allowing
-you to administratively bring UP these slave network devices. A common
-configuration mistake is forgetting to bring UP the master network device first.
-
 Interactions with other subsystems
 ==================================
 
diff --git a/net/dsa/slave.c b/net/dsa/slave.c
index b0571ab4e5a75..c95e3bdbe690d 100644
--- a/net/dsa/slave.c
+++ b/net/dsa/slave.c
@@ -68,8 +68,11 @@ static int dsa_slave_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct dsa_port *dp = dsa_slave_to_port(dev);
 	int err;
 
-	if (!(master->flags & IFF_UP))
-		return -ENETDOWN;
+	err = dev_open(master, NULL);
+	if (err < 0) {
+		netdev_err(dev, "failed to open master %s\n", master->name);
+		goto out;
+	}
 
 	if (!ether_addr_equal(dev->dev_addr, master->dev_addr)) {
 		err = dev_uc_add(master, dev->dev_addr);