diff --git a/roles/network/tasks/sysd-netd-debian.yml b/roles/network/tasks/sysd-netd-debian.yml
index c10b015fb..c153f2116 100644
--- a/roles/network/tasks/sysd-netd-debian.yml
+++ b/roles/network/tasks/sysd-netd-debian.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
 # sysd-netd-debian.yml
+- name: Unmask and enable the systemd-networkd service
+  systemd:
+    name: systemd-networkd
+    enabled: yes
+    masked: no
+
 - name: Copy the bridge script - Creates br0
   template:
     dest: /etc/systemd/network/IIAB-Bridge.netdev
@@ -54,8 +60,6 @@
 - name: Restart the systemd-networkd service
   systemd:
     name: systemd-networkd
-    enabled: yes
-    masked: no
     state: restarted
   #when: (netplan.stdout is undefined or netplan.stdout.find("yaml") == -1) and not no_net_restart
   when: not no_net_restart