diff --git a/hooks/neutron_ovs_utils.py b/hooks/neutron_ovs_utils.py
index 10365fff..35f25bf7 100644
--- a/hooks/neutron_ovs_utils.py
+++ b/hooks/neutron_ovs_utils.py
@@ -768,6 +768,12 @@ def dpdk_set_bond_config(bond_name, config):
     subprocess.check_call(cmd)
 
 
+def dpdk_set_mtu_request(port, mtu):
+    cmd = ["ovs-vsctl", "set", "Interface", port,
+           "mtu_request={}".format(mtu)]
+    subprocess.check_call(cmd)
+
+
 def enable_nova_metadata():
     return use_dvr() or enable_local_dhcp()
 
diff --git a/unit_tests/test_neutron_ovs_utils.py b/unit_tests/test_neutron_ovs_utils.py
index bb33afda..509664c8 100644
--- a/unit_tests/test_neutron_ovs_utils.py
+++ b/unit_tests/test_neutron_ovs_utils.py
@@ -726,6 +726,12 @@ class TestNeutronOVSUtils(CharmTestCase):
                                             _late_init=True,
                                             _test_bonds=True)
 
+    @patch.object(nutils, 'subprocess')
+    def test_dpdk_set_mtu_request(self, mock_subprocess):
+        nutils.dpdk_set_mtu_request("dpdk1", 9000)
+        mock_subprocess.check_call.assert_called_once_with(
+            ['ovs-vsctl', 'set', 'Interface', 'dpdk1', 'mtu_request=9000'])
+
     @patch.object(nutils, 'use_dvr')
     @patch('charmhelpers.contrib.openstack.context.config')
     def test_configure_ovs_enable_ipfix(self, mock_config, mock_use_dvr):