diff --git a/package/initscripts/init.d/S40network b/package/initscripts/init.d/S40network
index a8d7c5df78..7b11d8b902 100755
--- a/package/initscripts/init.d/S40network
+++ b/package/initscripts/init.d/S40network
@@ -6,37 +6,8 @@
 # Debian ifupdown needs the /run/network lock directory
 mkdir -p /run/network
 
-# In case we have a slow-to-appear interface (e.g. eth-over-USB),
-# and we need to configure it, wait until it appears, but not too
-# long either. WAIT_DELAY is in seconds.
-WAIT_DELAY=15
-
-wait_for_interfaces() {
-	IFACES=$(awk '/^auto/ { print $2 }' /etc/network/interfaces)
-	[ -n "$IFACES" ] || return
-
-	printf "Waiting for network interfaces to appear"
-
-	for i in $(seq $WAIT_DELAY); do
-	    for IFACE in $IFACES; do
-		if [ ! -e "/sys/class/net/$IFACE" ]; then
-		    printf "."
-		    sleep 1
-		    continue 2
-		fi
-	    done
-
-	    printf " ok\n"; return
-	done
-
-	printf " timeout\n"
-	exit 1
-}
-
 case "$1" in
   start)
-	wait_for_interfaces
-
  	echo "Starting network..."
 	/sbin/ifup -a
 	;;