diff --git a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/containers.nix b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/containers.nix
index 3dd36f9b12e..c2e6e9f6a13 100644
--- a/nixos/modules/virtualisation/containers.nix
+++ b/nixos/modules/virtualisation/containers.nix
@@ -188,6 +188,8 @@ let
           ''
         else
           ''
+            echo "Bring ${name} up"
+            ip link set dev ${name} up
             # Set IPs and routes for ${name}
             ${optionalString (cfg.hostAddress != null) ''
               ip addr add ${cfg.hostAddress} dev ${name}
diff --git a/nixos/tests/containers-extra_veth.nix b/nixos/tests/containers-extra_veth.nix
index b4c48afe48b..b3d3bce8757 100644
--- a/nixos/tests/containers-extra_veth.nix
+++ b/nixos/tests/containers-extra_veth.nix
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import ./make-test.nix ({ pkgs, ...} : {
       virtualisation.memorySize = 768;
       virtualisation.vlans = [];
 
+      networking.useDHCP = false;
       networking.bridges = {
         br0 = {
           interfaces = [];