diff --git a/sys/net/if.h b/sys/net/if.h
index 2d1700a1d61f..95566fb9f941 100644
--- a/sys/net/if.h
+++ b/sys/net/if.h
@@ -163,7 +163,8 @@ struct if_data {
 /* flags set internally only: */
 #define	IFF_CANTCHANGE \
 	(IFF_BROADCAST|IFF_POINTOPOINT|IFF_DRV_RUNNING|IFF_DRV_OACTIVE|\
-	    IFF_SIMPLEX|IFF_MULTICAST|IFF_ALLMULTI|IFF_SMART|IFF_PROMISC)
+	    IFF_SIMPLEX|IFF_MULTICAST|IFF_ALLMULTI|IFF_SMART|IFF_PROMISC|\
+	    IFF_NEEDSGIANT)
 
 /*
  * Values for if_link_state.