diff --git a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
index c0761197c07e..16ddc77313cb 100644
--- a/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
+++ b/drivers/net/phy/phy_device.c
@@ -466,6 +466,8 @@ int phy_attach_direct(struct net_device *dev, struct phy_device *phydev,
 
 	phydev->interface = interface;
 
+	phydev->state = PHY_READY;
+
 	/* Do initial configuration here, now that
 	 * we have certain key parameters
 	 * (dev_flags and interface) */