diff --git a/etc/net/scripts/create-eth b/etc/net/scripts/create-eth
index 4554c0e..6fdfa2c 100755
--- a/etc/net/scripts/create-eth
+++ b/etc/net/scripts/create-eth
@@ -8,6 +8,24 @@ if [ -n "$MODULE" ]; then
 	for oneword in $MODULE; do
 		$MODPROBE $oneword
 	done
-else
+fi
+
+if $IP li sh dev $NAME 2>/dev/null; then
+	# iface $NAME at least exists
 	$IP link set dev $NAME down
+	exit 0
 fi
+
+# nope, try to guess from iftab
+if profiled_filename IFTAB_FILE "$IFTAB"; then
+	while read junk junk junk junk from junk to; do
+		if [ "$NAME" = "${to%.*}" ]; then
+			# iface will be renamed to $NAME later
+			$IP link set dev $from down
+			exit 0
+		fi
+	done <<< "$($IFRENAME -c "$IFTAB_FILE" -D 2>&1)"
+fi
+
+# still nothing, bail out
+exit 1