diff --git a/etc/network.subr b/etc/network.subr
index c0934174716..e794faba2d7 100644
--- a/etc/network.subr
+++ b/etc/network.subr
@@ -727,6 +727,13 @@ list_net_interfaces()
 		;;
 	*)
 		_tmplist="${network_interfaces} ${cloned_interfaces}"
+
+		# lo0 is effectively mandatory, so help prevent foot-shooting
+		#
+		case "$_tmplist" in
+		lo0|'lo0 '*|*' lo0'|*' lo0 '*) ;; # This is fine, do nothing
+		*)	_tmplist="lo0 ${_tmplist}" ;;
+		esac
 		;;
 	esac