diff --git a/src/network/net_pcap.c b/src/network/net_pcap.c
index f1bf76271..cef7bbe8b 100644
--- a/src/network/net_pcap.c
+++ b/src/network/net_pcap.c
@@ -253,6 +253,8 @@ network_pcap_setup(uint8_t *mac, NETRXCB func, void *arg)
     pclog(" Starting thread..\n");
     poll_tid = thread_create(poll_thread, mac);
 
+    thread_started = thread_create_event();
+
     thread_wait_event((event_t *) thread_started, -1);
 
     return(0);
diff --git a/src/network/net_slirp.c b/src/network/net_slirp.c
index a72fe7180..ed19a9e4e 100644
--- a/src/network/net_slirp.c
+++ b/src/network/net_slirp.c
@@ -150,6 +150,8 @@ network_slirp_setup(uint8_t *mac, NETRXCB func, void *arg)
     pclog("SLiRP: starting thread..\n");
     poll_tid = thread_create(poll_thread, mac);
 
+    thread_start = thread_create_event();
+
     thread_wait_event((event_t *) thread_started, -1);
 
     return(0);