diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device.c b/src/devices/nm-device.c
index 5f7f4f0446..aab14708bc 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device.c
@@ -5944,7 +5944,7 @@ nm_device_steal_connection (NMDevice *self, NMConnection *connection)
 	    && priv->state < NM_DEVICE_STATE_DEACTIVATING)
 		nm_device_state_changed (self,
 		                         NM_DEVICE_STATE_DEACTIVATING,
-		                         NM_DEVICE_STATE_REASON_USER_REQUESTED);
+		                         NM_DEVICE_STATE_REASON_NEW_ACTIVATION);
 }
 
 void