diff --git a/target/linux/ixp4xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_ether_mac_ixp4xx b/target/linux/ixp4xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_ether_mac_ixp4xx
index 9e7ff46298..c58eb96f2a 100644
--- a/target/linux/ixp4xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_ether_mac_ixp4xx
+++ b/target/linux/ixp4xx/base-files/lib/preinit/05_set_ether_mac_ixp4xx
@@ -5,8 +5,12 @@
 set_from_redboot () {
 	for npe in eth0 eth1 eth2
 	do
+		mac="$(fconfig -s -r -d /dev/$1 -n npe_"$npe"_esa)"
+		if [ -z $mac ] ; then
+			mac="$(fconfig -s -r -d /dev/$1 -n zcom_npe_esa)"
+		fi
 		if ip link show dev $npe > /dev/null 2>&1; then
-			ip link set dev $npe address $(fconfig -s -r -d /dev/$1 -n npe_"$npe"_esa)
+			ip link set dev $npe address $mac
 		fi
 	done