diff --git a/init.d/net.lo.in b/init.d/net.lo.in
index 02d11a82..f8ec02cf 100644
--- a/init.d/net.lo.in
+++ b/init.d/net.lo.in
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ start()
 	# available in preup and afterwards incase the user inadvertently
 	# brings it down
 	if [ "$(command -v preup)" = "preup" ]; then
-		[ "${_up_before_preup}" = "no" ] ||  _up 2>/dev/null
+		yesno "${_up_before_preup:-yes}" && _up 2>/dev/null
 		ebegin "Running preup"
 		eindent
 		preup || return 1