diff --git a/src/etc/inc/interfaces.inc b/src/etc/inc/interfaces.inc
index 31b1eebe8..48e52719d 100644
--- a/src/etc/inc/interfaces.inc
+++ b/src/etc/inc/interfaces.inc
@@ -1708,12 +1708,7 @@ function interface_carp_configure(&$vip)
         $advbase = "advbase " . escapeshellarg($vip['advbase']);
     }
 
-    $carp_maintenancemode = isset($config["virtualip_carp_maintenancemode"]);
-    if ($carp_maintenancemode) {
-        $advskew = "advskew 254";
-    } else {
-        $advskew = "advskew " . escapeshellarg($vip['advskew']);
-    }
+    $advskew = "advskew " . escapeshellarg($vip['advskew']);
 
     mwexec("/sbin/ifconfig {$realif} vhid " . escapeshellarg($vip['vhid']) . " {$advskew} {$advbase} {$password}");
 
diff --git a/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/early/98_carp_maintenance b/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/early/98_carp_maintenance
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..9bb3a1771
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/early/98_carp_maintenance
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# when virtualip_carp_maintenancemode is set, make sure we startup in demoted state
+if [ -f /conf/config.xml ]; then
+    IS_MNT=`grep -c virtualip_carp_maintenancemode /conf/config.xml`
+    IS_DEMOTED=`/sbin/sysctl net.inet.carp.demotion | /usr/bin/awk '{print $2;}'`
+    if [ $IS_MNT -gt 0 ] && [ $IS_DEMOTED -eq -0 ]; then
+        /sbin/sysctl net.inet.carp.demotion=240
+    fi
+fi