diff --git a/net/sched/act_mirred.c b/net/sched/act_mirred.c
index 6f39789d9d14..97cd4b2377d6 100644
--- a/net/sched/act_mirred.c
+++ b/net/sched/act_mirred.c
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ static int tcf_mirred_act(struct sk_buff *skb, const struct tc_action *a,
 		goto out;
 	}
 
-	if (unlikely(!(dev->flags & IFF_UP))) {
+	if (unlikely(!(dev->flags & IFF_UP)) || !netif_carrier_ok(dev)) {
 		net_notice_ratelimited("tc mirred to Houston: device %s is down\n",
 				       dev->name);
 		goto out;