diff --git a/doc/net.example.Linux.in b/doc/net.example.Linux.in
index 0ee83a6e..d48983ee 100644
--- a/doc/net.example.Linux.in
+++ b/doc/net.example.Linux.in
@@ -1102,6 +1102,16 @@
 #
 # ${IFACE} is set to the interface being brought up/down
 # ${IFVAR} is ${IFACE} converted to variable name bash allows
+#
+# For historical & compatbility reasons, preup is actually normally called in
+# the follow sequence: up ; preup ; up
+# In that case, the first up causes the kernel to initialize the device, so
+# that it is available for use in the preup function.  However, for some other
+# hardware, eg CAN devices, some configuration is needed before trying to up
+# the interface will actually work. For such harware, there are the
+# 'up_before_preup' variables, that skips the first up call.
+#up_before_preup_IFVAR=no
+#up_before_preup=no
 
 #preup() {
 #	# Test for link on the interface prior to bringing it up.  This
diff --git a/init.d/net.lo.in b/init.d/net.lo.in
index ae07b52f..02d11a82 100644
--- a/init.d/net.lo.in
+++ b/init.d/net.lo.in
@@ -488,7 +488,9 @@ start()
 {
 	local IFACE=${RC_SVCNAME#*.} oneworked=false fallback=false module=
 	local IFVAR=$(shell_var "${IFACE}") cmd= our_metric=
-	local metric=0
+	local metric=0 _up_before_preup
+	eval _up_before_preup="\$up_before_preup_${IFVAR}"
+	[ -z "${_up_before_preup}" ] && _up_before_preup=$up_before_preup
 
 	einfo "Bringing up interface ${IFACE}"
 	eindent
@@ -502,7 +504,7 @@ start()
 	# available in preup and afterwards incase the user inadvertently
 	# brings it down
 	if [ "$(command -v preup)" = "preup" ]; then
-		_up 2>/dev/null
+		[ "${_up_before_preup}" = "no" ] ||  _up 2>/dev/null
 		ebegin "Running preup"
 		eindent
 		preup || return 1