diff --git a/src/devices/nm-device-veth.c b/src/devices/nm-device-veth.c
index 9abe491648..0bdd810218 100644
--- a/src/devices/nm-device-veth.c
+++ b/src/devices/nm-device-veth.c
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@ nm_device_veth_new (NMPlatformLink *platform_device)
 static void
 nm_device_veth_init (NMDeviceVeth *self)
 {
+	nm_device_set_initial_unmanaged_flag (NM_DEVICE (self), NM_UNMANAGED_DEFAULT, TRUE);
 }
 
 static void