diff --git a/sysdep/linux/netlink/krt-iface.h b/sysdep/linux/netlink/krt-iface.h
index 53167c86..38177b99 100644
--- a/sysdep/linux/netlink/krt-iface.h
+++ b/sysdep/linux/netlink/krt-iface.h
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ struct krt_if_status {
 };
 
 static inline void krt_if_preconfig(struct kif_config *c) { };
-static inline void krt_if_start(struct kif_proto *p) { };
 static inline void krt_if_shutdown(struct kif_proto *p) { };
 static inline void krt_if_io_init(void) { };
 
diff --git a/sysdep/linux/netlink/netlink.c b/sysdep/linux/netlink/netlink.c
index 0849e79f..00736ece 100644
--- a/sysdep/linux/netlink/netlink.c
+++ b/sysdep/linux/netlink/netlink.c
@@ -805,3 +805,9 @@ void
 krt_scan_shutdown(struct krt_proto *p)
 {
 }
+
+void
+krt_if_start(struct kif_proto *p)
+{
+  nl_open();
+}