diff --git a/daemon/libnetwork/osl/interface_linux.go b/daemon/libnetwork/osl/interface_linux.go
index 3e17f3908e..c4dc18081c 100644
--- a/daemon/libnetwork/osl/interface_linux.go
+++ b/daemon/libnetwork/osl/interface_linux.go
@@ -455,6 +455,7 @@ func waitForIfUpped(ctx context.Context, ns netns.NsHandle, ifIndex int) (bool,
 				}
 			case <-drainTimerC:
 				log.G(ctx).Warn("timeout while waiting for LinkSubscribe to terminate")
+				return
 			}
 		}
 	}()