diff --git a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_netlink.c b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_netlink.c
index db760e84119f..b8df0f5e8c25 100644
--- a/drivers/net/bonding/bond_netlink.c
+++ b/drivers/net/bonding/bond_netlink.c
@@ -446,7 +446,11 @@ static int bond_newlink(struct net *src_net, struct net_device *bond_dev,
 	if (err < 0)
 		return err;
 
-	return register_netdevice(bond_dev);
+	err = register_netdevice(bond_dev);
+
+	netif_carrier_off(bond_dev);
+
+	return err;
 }
 
 static size_t bond_get_size(const struct net_device *bond_dev)