diff --git a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
index 9284c73f1b482afdbbe4547b3944c1668531119d..08ce36147c4c3a76bba8d98004617f7a7f03a2e6 100644
--- a/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
+++ b/net/batman-adv/hard-interface.c
@@ -725,7 +725,7 @@ static void batadv_hardif_remove_interface(struct batadv_hard_iface *hard_iface)
 	/* first deactivate interface */
 	if (hard_iface->if_status != BATADV_IF_NOT_IN_USE)
 		batadv_hardif_disable_interface(hard_iface,
-						BATADV_IF_CLEANUP_AUTO);
+						BATADV_IF_CLEANUP_KEEP);
 
 	if (hard_iface->if_status != BATADV_IF_NOT_IN_USE)
 		return;