diff --git a/src/core/NetworkManagerUtils.c b/src/core/NetworkManagerUtils.c
index 34ddf9fb1a..e670546210 100644
--- a/src/core/NetworkManagerUtils.c
+++ b/src/core/NetworkManagerUtils.c
@@ -268,7 +268,9 @@ nm_utils_complete_generic(NMPlatform *         platform,
     }
 
     /* Add an interface name, if requested */
-    if (ifname) {
+    if (nm_setting_connection_get_interface_name(s_con)) {
+        /* pass */
+    } else if (ifname) {
         g_object_set(G_OBJECT(s_con), NM_SETTING_CONNECTION_INTERFACE_NAME, ifname, NULL);
     } else if (ifname_prefix && !nm_setting_connection_get_interface_name(s_con)) {
         generated_ifname = get_new_connection_ifname(platform, existing_connections, ifname_prefix);