diff --git a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bcmsysport.c b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bcmsysport.c
index 54b51db0caf3..141160ef249a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bcmsysport.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ethernet/broadcom/bcmsysport.c
@@ -1595,6 +1595,9 @@ static int bcm_sysport_probe(struct platform_device *pdev)
 	 */
 	dev->flags &= ~IFF_MULTICAST;
 
+	/* libphy will adjust the link state accordingly */
+	netif_carrier_off(dev);
+
 	ret = register_netdev(dev);
 	if (ret) {
 		dev_err(&pdev->dev, "failed to register net_device\n");