diff --git a/neutron/plugins/vmware/dhcp_meta/nsx.py b/neutron/plugins/vmware/dhcp_meta/nsx.py
index 6fbb350627a..5c1f3971aff 100644
--- a/neutron/plugins/vmware/dhcp_meta/nsx.py
+++ b/neutron/plugins/vmware/dhcp_meta/nsx.py
@@ -207,6 +207,9 @@ def handle_network_dhcp_access(plugin, context, network, action):
              % {"action": action, "resource": network})
     if action == 'create_network':
         network_id = network['id']
+        if network.get(external_net.EXTERNAL):
+            LOG.info(_("Network %s is external: no LSN to create"), network_id)
+            return
         plugin.lsn_manager.lsn_create(context, network_id)
     elif action == 'delete_network':
         # NOTE(armando-migliaccio): on delete_network, network
diff --git a/neutron/tests/unit/vmware/test_dhcpmeta.py b/neutron/tests/unit/vmware/test_dhcpmeta.py
index 5619803ca3d..ec1e408c187 100644
--- a/neutron/tests/unit/vmware/test_dhcpmeta.py
+++ b/neutron/tests/unit/vmware/test_dhcpmeta.py
@@ -1153,6 +1153,12 @@ class DhcpTestCase(base.BaseTestCase):
         self.plugin.lsn_manager.lsn_create.assert_called_once_with(
             mock.ANY, network['id'])
 
+    def test_handle_create_network_router_external(self):
+        network = {'id': 'foo_network_id', 'router:external': True}
+        nsx.handle_network_dhcp_access(
+            self.plugin, mock.ANY, network, 'create_network')
+        self.assertFalse(self.plugin.lsn_manager.lsn_create.call_count)
+
     def test_handle_delete_network(self):
         network_id = 'foo_network_id'
         self.plugin.lsn_manager.lsn_delete_by_network.return_value = (