diff --git a/boards/xtensa/esp32/esp32-devkitc/src/esp32_bringup.c b/boards/xtensa/esp32/esp32-devkitc/src/esp32_bringup.c
index 9986baa90f..96e7826ff9 100644
--- a/boards/xtensa/esp32/esp32-devkitc/src/esp32_bringup.c
+++ b/boards/xtensa/esp32/esp32-devkitc/src/esp32_bringup.c
@@ -336,6 +336,14 @@ int esp32_bringup(void)
     }
 #endif
 
+#ifdef CONFIG_ESP32_OPENETH
+  ret = esp32_openeth_initialize();
+  if (ret < 0)
+    {
+      syslog(LOG_ERR, "ERROR: Failed to initialize Open ETH ethernet.\n");
+    }
+#endif
+
   /* First, register the timer drivers and let timer 1 for oneshot
    * if it is enabled.
    */