diff --git a/src/core/devices/nm-device.c b/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
index 0f775f7a35..c05b6cc6a3 100644
--- a/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
+++ b/src/core/devices/nm-device.c
@@ -15021,10 +15021,11 @@ set_managed(NMDevice *self, NMDeviceManaged managed, NMDeviceManagedFlags flags,
             /* If requested, set the administrative state of the device to UP if the
              * new managed state is YES, and to DOWN if it's NO. */
             if (flags & NM_DEVICE_MANAGED_FLAGS_SET_ADMIN_STATE) {
-                nm_platform_link_change_flags(nm_device_get_platform(self),
-                                              nm_device_get_ifindex(self),
-                                              IFF_UP,
-                                              !!managed);
+                if (nm_device_get_ifindex(self))
+                    nm_platform_link_change_flags(nm_device_get_platform(self),
+                                                  nm_device_get_ifindex(self),
+                                                  IFF_UP,
+                                                  !!managed);
             }
         }
     }