diff --git a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
index be3f7e5c685b..9bbf8f363f58 100644
--- a/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
+++ b/drivers/net/can/slcan.c
@@ -495,14 +495,23 @@ static int slc_open(struct net_device *dev)
 			netdev_err(dev,
 				   "failed to send bitrate command 'C\\rS%d\\r'\n",
 				   s);
-			close_candev(dev);
-			return err;
+			goto cmd_transmit_failed;
+		}
+
+		err = slcan_transmit_cmd(sl, "O\r");
+		if (err) {
+			netdev_err(dev, "failed to send open command 'O\\r'\n");
+			goto cmd_transmit_failed;
 		}
 	}
 
 	sl->can.state = CAN_STATE_ERROR_ACTIVE;
 	netif_start_queue(dev);
 	return 0;
+
+cmd_transmit_failed:
+	close_candev(dev);
+	return err;
 }
 
 static void slc_dealloc(struct slcan *sl)