diff --git a/bgpd/bgp_fsm.c b/bgpd/bgp_fsm.c
index 79f4b1c91a..de11a98a20 100644
--- a/bgpd/bgp_fsm.c
+++ b/bgpd/bgp_fsm.c
@@ -289,7 +289,8 @@ void bgp_timer_set(struct peer *peer)
 		/* First entry point of peer's finite state machine.  In Idle
 		   status start timer is on unless peer is shutdown or peer is
 		   inactive.  All other timer must be turned off */
-		if (BGP_PEER_START_SUPPRESSED(peer) || !peer_active(peer)) {
+		if (BGP_PEER_START_SUPPRESSED(peer) || !peer_active(peer)
+		    || peer->bgp->vrf_id == VRF_UNKNOWN) {
 			BGP_TIMER_OFF(peer->t_start);
 		} else {
 			BGP_TIMER_ON(peer->t_start, bgp_start_timer,