diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-bond.c b/src/devices/nm-device-bond.c
index d7a0e9a408..b47b199992 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-bond.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-bond.c
@@ -470,7 +470,6 @@ create_and_realize (NMDevice *device,
 	NMPlatformError plerr;
 
 	g_assert (iface);
-	g_assert (nm_device_get_ifindex (device) <= 0);
 	g_assert (out_plink);
 
 	plerr = nm_platform_bond_add (NM_PLATFORM_GET, iface, out_plink);
diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-bridge.c b/src/devices/nm-device-bridge.c
index 8d6caa94f4..4dc180083f 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-bridge.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-bridge.c
@@ -399,7 +399,6 @@ create_and_realize (NMDevice *device,
 	NMPlatformError plerr;
 
 	g_assert (iface);
-	g_assert (nm_device_get_ifindex (device) <= 0);
 	g_assert (out_plink);
 
 	s_bridge = nm_connection_get_setting_bridge (connection);
diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-infiniband.c b/src/devices/nm-device-infiniband.c
index c4c21f9d1c..13ee252bb4 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-infiniband.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-infiniband.c
@@ -243,7 +243,6 @@ create_and_realize (NMDevice *device,
 	int parent_ifindex, p_key;
 	NMPlatformError plerr;
 
-	g_assert (nm_device_get_ifindex (device) <= 0);
 	g_assert (out_plink);
 
 	if (!NM_IS_DEVICE_INFINIBAND (parent)) {
diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-vlan.c b/src/devices/nm-device-vlan.c
index eb3b146e25..4306d16887 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-vlan.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-vlan.c
@@ -177,7 +177,6 @@ create_and_realize (NMDevice *device,
 	int parent_ifindex, vlan_id;
 	NMPlatformError plerr;
 
-	g_assert (nm_device_get_ifindex (device) <= 0);
 	g_assert (out_plink);
 
 	s_vlan = nm_connection_get_setting_vlan (connection);