diff --git a/src/node_device/node_device_udev.c b/src/node_device/node_device_udev.c
index 65f312d8f4..dec19a3166 100644
--- a/src/node_device/node_device_udev.c
+++ b/src/node_device/node_device_udev.c
@@ -1983,7 +1983,7 @@ nodeStateInitialize(bool privileged,
 
     virObjectLock(priv);
 
-    priv->udev_monitor = udev_monitor_new_from_netlink(udev, "kernel");
+    priv->udev_monitor = udev_monitor_new_from_netlink(udev, "udev");
     if (!priv->udev_monitor) {
         virReportError(VIR_ERR_INTERNAL_ERROR, "%s",
                        _("udev_monitor_new_from_netlink returned NULL"));