diff --git a/drivers/net/macsec.c b/drivers/net/macsec.c
index 6195b8edafc0..64a982563d59 100644
--- a/drivers/net/macsec.c
+++ b/drivers/net/macsec.c
@@ -2812,9 +2812,6 @@ static int macsec_dev_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	struct net_device *real_dev = macsec->real_dev;
 	int err;
 
-	if (!(real_dev->flags & IFF_UP))
-		return -ENETDOWN;
-
 	err = dev_uc_add(real_dev, dev->dev_addr);
 	if (err < 0)
 		return err;