diff --git a/src/core/netif.c b/src/core/netif.c
index 8712cef7..8544d744 100644
--- a/src/core/netif.c
+++ b/src/core/netif.c
@@ -68,6 +68,9 @@ netif_add(struct ip_addr *ipaddr, struct ip_addr *netmask,
     DEBUGF(NETIF_DEBUG, ("netif_add(): out of memory for netif\n"));
     return NULL;
   }
+
+  /* netif not under DHCP control by default */
+  netif->dhcp = NULL;
   
   /* remember netif specific state information data */
   netif->state = state;