diff --git a/package/ppp/files/etc/hotplug.d/atm/20-atm-modem b/package/ppp/files/etc/hotplug.d/atm/20-atm-modem
index 45ef54239c..4fd9b9c662 100644
--- a/package/ppp/files/etc/hotplug.d/atm/20-atm-modem
+++ b/package/ppp/files/etc/hotplug.d/atm/20-atm-modem
@@ -10,10 +10,13 @@ if [ "$ACTION" = "add" ]; then
 		local up
 		config_get_bool up "$ifc" up 0
 
+		local auto
+		config_get_bool auto "$ifc" auto 1
+
 		local proto
 		config_get proto "$ifc" proto
 
-		if [ "$proto" = "pppoa" ] && [ "$up" != 1 ]; then
+		if [ "$proto" = "pppoa" ] && [ "$up" != 1 ] && [ "$auto" = 1 ]; then
 			found=1
 			( sleep 1; ifup "$ifc" ) &
 		fi