diff --git a/roles/ffh.mesh_wireguard/templates/addtobatX.j2 b/roles/ffh.mesh_wireguard/templates/addtobatX.j2
index 4815fc17..826d4c98 100644
--- a/roles/ffh.mesh_wireguard/templates/addtobatX.j2
+++ b/roles/ffh.mesh_wireguard/templates/addtobatX.j2
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ After=sys-subsystem-net-devices-{{ vxlan_iface_prefix }}\x2d%i.device
 
 [Service]
 Type=oneshot
+ExecStart=/sbin/ip link set {{ vxlan_iface_prefix }}-%i up
 ExecStart=/bin/sh /usr/bin/wait_for_iface.sh {{ vxlan_iface_prefix }}-%i unknown_is_fine
 ExecStart=/usr/sbin/batctl meshif bat%I if add {{ vxlan_iface_prefix }}-%i