diff --git a/net/bridge/br_stp_if.c b/net/bridge/br_stp_if.c
index 5a782f543aff..16b5aa9a91f1 100644
--- a/net/bridge/br_stp_if.c
+++ b/net/bridge/br_stp_if.c
@@ -185,7 +185,8 @@ static void br_stp_start(struct net_bridge *br)
 		br_debug(br, "using kernel STP\n");
 
 		/* To start timers on any ports left in blocking */
-		mod_timer(&br->hello_timer, jiffies + br->hello_time);
+		if (br->dev->flags & IFF_UP)
+			mod_timer(&br->hello_timer, jiffies + br->hello_time);
 		br_port_state_selection(br);
 	}