diff --git a/target/linux/ar71xx/base-files/etc/defconfig/wrt160nl/network b/target/linux/ar71xx/base-files/etc/defconfig/wrt160nl/network
index f670d149cb..0d17a2025f 100644
--- a/target/linux/ar71xx/base-files/etc/defconfig/wrt160nl/network
+++ b/target/linux/ar71xx/base-files/etc/defconfig/wrt160nl/network
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ config interface wan
 	option ifname	eth1
 	option proto	dhcp
 
-config switch eth0
+config switch
+	option name	eth0
 	option reset	1
 	option enable_vlan 1
 
diff --git a/target/linux/atheros/base-files/etc/uci-defaults/network b/target/linux/atheros/base-files/etc/uci-defaults/network
index 49c2a40057..89ea9a102c 100644
--- a/target/linux/atheros/base-files/etc/uci-defaults/network
+++ b/target/linux/atheros/base-files/etc/uci-defaults/network
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 if [ -e "/sys/bus/mdio_bus/drivers/IC+ IP175C/0:00" -a -x /sbin/swconfig ]; then
 	uci batch <<EOF
 set network.eth0=switch
+set network.eth0.name=eth0
 set network.eth0.reset=1
 set network.eth0.enable_vlan=1
 set network.eth0_1=switch_vlan