diff --git a/tools/xen/templates/interfaces.in b/tools/xen/templates/interfaces.in
index ef4796f..8fa8840 100644
--- a/tools/xen/templates/interfaces.in
+++ b/tools/xen/templates/interfaces.in
@@ -6,9 +6,11 @@ iface eth0 inet dhcp
 
 auto eth1
 iface eth1 inet static
+        # A host-only ip that let's the interface come up, otherwise unused
+        address 10.255.255.255
         netmask @ETH1_NETMASK@
+up ifconfig eth1 up
 post-up ethtool -K eth1 tx off
-post-up ifconfig eth1 up
 
 auto eth2
 iface eth2 inet static