diff --git a/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c b/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
index 37b42447045d..fcb18b11db75 100644
--- a/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
+++ b/drivers/infiniband/ulp/ipoib/ipoib_main.c
@@ -1953,6 +1953,9 @@ static struct net_device *ipoib_add_port(const char *format,
 		goto event_failed;
 	}
 
+	/* call event handler to ensure pkey in sync */
+	queue_work(ipoib_workqueue, &priv->flush_heavy);
+
 	result = register_netdev(priv->dev);
 	if (result) {
 		printk(KERN_WARNING "%s: couldn't register ipoib port %d; error %d\n",