diff --git a/tools/virsh-domain.c b/tools/virsh-domain.c
index 6b431bd1e5..59b2b3ce60 100644
--- a/tools/virsh-domain.c
+++ b/tools/virsh-domain.c
@@ -3209,7 +3209,7 @@ cmdDomIfSetLink(vshControl *ctl, const vshCmd *cmd)
         }
     }
 
-    if (xmlHasProp(linkNode, BAD_CAST "link"))
+    if (xmlHasProp(linkNode, BAD_CAST "state"))
         stateAttr = xmlSetProp(linkNode, BAD_CAST "state", BAD_CAST state);
     else
         stateAttr = xmlNewProp(linkNode, BAD_CAST "state", BAD_CAST state);