diff --git a/common/control_files/vrouter-functions.sh b/common/control_files/vrouter-functions.sh
index ec3644e71..b4f1442cd 100644
--- a/common/control_files/vrouter-functions.sh
+++ b/common/control_files/vrouter-functions.sh
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ function pkt_setup () {
         fi
         echo $str > $f/rps_cpus
     done
+    ifconfig $1 up
 }
 
 function insert_vrouter() {