diff --git a/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c b/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
index 5930c7d9a8fb..161ba8c76285 100644
--- a/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
+++ b/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
@@ -2306,6 +2306,9 @@ static struct net_device *ipoib_add_port(const char *format,
 			      priv->ca, ipoib_event);
 	ib_register_event_handler(&priv->event_handler);
 
+	/* call event handler to ensure pkey in sync */
+	queue_work(ipoib_workqueue, &priv->flush_heavy);
+
 	result = register_netdev(priv->dev);
 	if (result) {
 		pr_warn("%s: couldn't register ipoib port %d; error %d\n",