diff --git a/port-management/files/etc/uci-defaults/15-ports-config-generate b/port-management/files/etc/uci-defaults/15-ports-config-generate
index ca7cfe02f..a3e5e6e64 100644
--- a/port-management/files/etc/uci-defaults/15-ports-config-generate
+++ b/port-management/files/etc/uci-defaults/15-ports-config-generate
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ fi
 
 touch /etc/config/ports
 
-if [ -f /sbin/db ] && [ -f /etc/board-db/config/hw ]; then
+if [ -f /sbin/db -a -n "$(db get hw.board.ethernetPortOrder 2>/dev/null)" ]; then
 	populate_config_from_db
 elif [ -d /proc/device-tree/ ]; then
 	populate_config_from_device_tree