diff --git a/src/nm-manager.c b/src/nm-manager.c
index b09ccebb6f..475344a522 100644
--- a/src/nm-manager.c
+++ b/src/nm-manager.c
@@ -1992,7 +1992,7 @@ nm_manager_activate_connection (NMManager *manager,
 		vpn_connection = nm_vpn_manager_activate_connection (priv->vpn_manager,
 		                                                     connection,
 		                                                     device,
-		                                                     specific_object,
+		                                                     nm_act_request_get_active_connection_path (parent_req),
 		                                                     TRUE,
 		                                                     sender_uid,
 		                                                     error);