diff --git a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ether.c b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ether.c
index 4c6e938d65..d820fafd87 100644
--- a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ether.c
+++ b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ether.c
@@ -280,6 +280,7 @@ fs_dev_remove(struct sub_device *sdev)
 		/* the end */
 		break;
 	}
+	sdev->remove = 0;
 	failsafe_hotplug_alarm_install(sdev->fs_dev);
 }
 
diff --git a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ops.c b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ops.c
index 7a67e16895..f0e48c1880 100644
--- a/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ops.c
+++ b/drivers/net/failsafe/failsafe_ops.c
@@ -131,7 +131,6 @@ fs_dev_configure(struct rte_eth_dev *dev)
 			dev->data->dev_conf.intr_conf.lsc = 0;
 		}
 		DEBUG("Configuring sub-device %d", i);
-		sdev->remove = 0;
 		ret = rte_eth_dev_configure(PORT_ID(sdev),
 					dev->data->nb_rx_queues,
 					dev->data->nb_tx_queues,