diff --git a/libraries/Ethernet/src/ETH.cpp b/libraries/Ethernet/src/ETH.cpp
index 9c699bae751..067ce7f3802 100644
--- a/libraries/Ethernet/src/ETH.cpp
+++ b/libraries/Ethernet/src/ETH.cpp
@@ -287,6 +287,8 @@ bool ETHClass::begin(eth_phy_type_t type, int32_t phy_addr, int mdc, int mdio, i
     /* attach to receive events */
     initNetif((Network_Interface_ID)(ESP_NETIF_ID_ETH+_eth_index));
 
+    Network.onSysEvent(onEthConnected, ARDUINO_EVENT_ETH_CONNECTED);
+ 
     ret = esp_eth_start(_eth_handle);
     if(ret != ESP_OK){
         log_e("esp_eth_start failed: %d", ret);
@@ -308,8 +310,6 @@ bool ETHClass::begin(eth_phy_type_t type, int32_t phy_addr, int mdc, int mdio, i
         if(!perimanSetPinBus(_pin_power,  ESP32_BUS_TYPE_ETHERNET_PWR, (void *)(this), -1, -1)){ goto err; }
     }
 
-    Network.onSysEvent(onEthConnected, ARDUINO_EVENT_ETH_CONNECTED);
-
     // holds a few milliseconds to let DHCP start and enter into a good state
     // FIX ME -- adresses issue https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/issues/5733
     delay(50);