diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index 6d151954d92d..4d581140b7a4 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ static u8 gsm_encode_modem(const struct gsm_dlci *dlci)
 		modembits |= MDM_RTR;
 	if (dlci->modem_tx & TIOCM_RI)
 		modembits |= MDM_IC;
-	if (dlci->modem_tx & TIOCM_CD)
+	if (dlci->modem_tx & TIOCM_CD || dlci->gsm->initiator)
 		modembits |= MDM_DV;
 	return modembits;
 }