diff --git a/package/base-files/files/lib/network/config.sh b/package/base-files/files/lib/network/config.sh
index dfee674915..b89168e07c 100755
--- a/package/base-files/files/lib/network/config.sh
+++ b/package/base-files/files/lib/network/config.sh
@@ -90,8 +90,8 @@ prepare_interface() {
 	[ "br-$config" = "$iface" -o -e "$iface" ] && return 0;
 	
 	ifconfig "$iface" 2>/dev/null >/dev/null && {
-		# make sure the interface is removed from any existing bridge and brought down
-		ifconfig "$iface" down
+		# make sure the interface is removed from any existing bridge and deconfigured 
+		ifconfig "$iface" 0.0.0.0
 		unbridge "$iface"
 	}