diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device.c b/src/devices/nm-device.c
index c87f660c12..0290bc2221 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device.c
@@ -9444,6 +9444,9 @@ reapply_cb (NMDevice *self,
 		return;
 	}
 
+	if (nm_device_sys_iface_state_is_external (self))
+		nm_device_sys_iface_state_set (self, NM_DEVICE_SYS_IFACE_STATE_MANAGED);
+
 	if (!check_and_reapply_connection (self,
 	                                   connection ? : (NMConnection *) nm_device_get_settings_connection (self),
 	                                   version_id,