diff --git a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/bonding/bond_options.sh b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/bonding/bond_options.sh
index d508486cc0bdc..9a3d3c389dadd 100755
--- a/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/bonding/bond_options.sh
+++ b/tools/testing/selftests/drivers/net/bonding/bond_options.sh
@@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ prio_test()
 
 	# create bond
 	bond_reset "${param}"
+	# set active_slave to primary eth1 specifically
+	ip -n ${s_ns} link set bond0 type bond active_slave eth1
 
 	# check bonding member prio value
 	ip -n ${s_ns} link set eth0 type bond_slave prio 0