diff --git a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
index b05b7862778c..405b55bceba8 100644
--- a/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
+++ b/drivers/tty/n_gsm.c
@@ -3024,6 +3024,7 @@ static int gsmtty_open(struct tty_struct *tty, struct file *filp)
 {
 	struct gsm_dlci *dlci = tty->driver_data;
 	struct tty_port *port = &dlci->port;
+	struct gsm_mux *gsm = dlci->gsm;
 
 	port->count++;
 	tty_port_tty_set(port, tty);
@@ -3033,7 +3034,8 @@ static int gsmtty_open(struct tty_struct *tty, struct file *filp)
 	   a DM straight back. This is ok as that will have caused a hangup */
 	tty_port_set_initialized(port, 1);
 	/* Start sending off SABM messages */
-	gsm_dlci_begin_open(dlci);
+	if (gsm->initiator)
+		gsm_dlci_begin_open(dlci);
 	/* And wait for virtual carrier */
 	return tty_port_block_til_ready(port, tty, filp);
 }