diff --git a/lib/neutron_plugins/ovs_base b/lib/neutron_plugins/ovs_base
index 0a53bffc74..2666d8e8ba 100644
--- a/lib/neutron_plugins/ovs_base
+++ b/lib/neutron_plugins/ovs_base
@@ -67,6 +67,7 @@ function _neutron_ovs_base_configure_l3_agent() {
 
     neutron-ovs-cleanup
     sudo ovs-vsctl --no-wait -- --may-exist add-br $PUBLIC_BRIDGE
+    sudo ovs-vsctl --no-wait br-set-external-id $PUBLIC_BRIDGE bridge-id $PUBLIC_BRIDGE
     # ensure no IP is configured on the public bridge
     sudo ip addr flush dev $PUBLIC_BRIDGE
 }