diff --git a/zebra/kernel_socket.c b/zebra/kernel_socket.c
index cd30631..2e04b03 100644
--- a/zebra/kernel_socket.c
+++ b/zebra/kernel_socket.c
@@ -300,7 +300,8 @@
 static void
 bsd_linkdetect_translate (struct if_msghdr *ifm)
 {
-  if (ifm->ifm_data.ifi_link_state >= LINK_STATE_UP)
+  if ((ifm->ifm_data.ifi_link_state >= LINK_STATE_UP) ||
+      (ifm->ifm_data.ifi_link_state == LINK_STATE_UNKNOWN))
     SET_FLAG(ifm->ifm_flags, IFF_RUNNING);
   else
     UNSET_FLAG(ifm->ifm_flags, IFF_RUNNING);