diff --git a/drivers/net/can/c_can/c_can.c b/drivers/net/can/c_can/c_can.c
index 041525d2595c..5d214d135332 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/c_can/c_can.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/c_can/c_can.c
@@ -592,6 +592,7 @@ static int c_can_start(struct net_device *dev)
 {
 	struct c_can_priv *priv = netdev_priv(dev);
 	int err;
+	struct pinctrl *p;
 
 	/* basic c_can configuration */
 	err = c_can_chip_config(dev);
@@ -604,8 +605,13 @@ static int c_can_start(struct net_device *dev)
 
 	priv->can.state = CAN_STATE_ERROR_ACTIVE;
 
-	/* activate pins */
-	pinctrl_pm_select_default_state(dev->dev.parent);
+	/* Attempt to use "active" if available else use "default" */
+	p = pinctrl_get_select(priv->device, "active");
+	if (!IS_ERR(p))
+		pinctrl_put(p);
+	else
+		pinctrl_pm_select_default_state(priv->device);
+
 	return 0;
 }