diff --git a/gns3server/modules/base_manager.py b/gns3server/modules/base_manager.py
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/gns3server/modules/base_manager.py
+++ b/gns3server/modules/base_manager.py
@@ -372,8 +372,8 @@ class BaseManager:
             nio = NIOUDP(lport, rhost, rport)
         elif nio_settings["type"] == "nio_tap":
             tap_device = nio_settings["tap_device"]
-            if not is_interface_up(tap_device):
-                raise aiohttp.web.HTTPConflict(text="TAP interface {} does not exist or is down".format(tap_device))
+            #if not is_interface_up(tap_device):
+            #    raise aiohttp.web.HTTPConflict(text="TAP interface {} does not exist or is down".format(tap_device))
             # FIXME: check for permissions on tap device
             # if not self.has_privileged_access(executable):
             #    raise aiohttp.web.HTTPForbidden(text="{} has no privileged access to {}.".format(executable, tap_device))
Do not require a TAP interface to already exist. Fixes #<I>.