diff --git a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
index bb6b67f6b0cc..b6d402806ae6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
+++ b/drivers/net/virtio_net.c
@@ -986,9 +986,15 @@ static int virtnet_probe(struct virtio_device *vdev)
 		goto unregister;
 	}
 
-	vi->status = VIRTIO_NET_S_LINK_UP;
-	virtnet_update_status(vi);
-	netif_carrier_on(dev);
+	/* Assume link up if device can't report link status,
+	   otherwise get link status from config. */
+	if (virtio_has_feature(vi->vdev, VIRTIO_NET_F_STATUS)) {
+		netif_carrier_off(dev);
+		virtnet_update_status(vi);
+	} else {
+		vi->status = VIRTIO_NET_S_LINK_UP;
+		netif_carrier_on(dev);
+	}
 
 	pr_debug("virtnet: registered device %s\n", dev->name);
 	return 0;