diff --git a/sys/netgraph/iface/ng_iface.c b/sys/netgraph/iface/ng_iface.c
--- a/sys/netgraph/iface/ng_iface.c
+++ b/sys/netgraph/iface/ng_iface.c
@@ -662,8 +662,10 @@
 		    {
 
 			/* Deny request if interface is UP */
-			if ((ifp->if_flags & IFF_UP) != 0)
-				return (EBUSY);
+			if ((ifp->if_flags & IFF_UP) != 0) {
+				error = EBUSY;
+				break;
+			}
 
 			/* Change flags */
 			switch (msg->header.cmd) {