diff --git a/sys/include/net/netopt.h b/sys/include/net/netopt.h
index 6385e68145..e94842dd90 100644
--- a/sys/include/net/netopt.h
+++ b/sys/include/net/netopt.h
@@ -299,6 +299,16 @@ typedef enum {
      */
     NETOPT_LINK,
 
+    /**
+     * @brief (@ref netopt_enable_t) network interface status.
+     *
+     * This option is used check state or to enable/disable the interface,
+     * regardless of link status.
+     *
+     * @note On error this option should return a negative number.
+     */
+    NETOPT_ACTIVE,
+
     /**
      * @brief   (@ref netopt_enable_t) CSMA/CA support
      *
diff --git a/sys/net/crosslayer/netopt/netopt.c b/sys/net/crosslayer/netopt/netopt.c
index 9c66cbc0b4..bfadebe8b6 100644
--- a/sys/net/crosslayer/netopt/netopt.c
+++ b/sys/net/crosslayer/netopt/netopt.c
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ static const char *_netopt_strmap[] = {
     [NETOPT_MAC_NO_SLEEP]          = "NETOPT_MAC_NO_SLEEP",
     [NETOPT_IS_WIRED]              = "NETOPT_IS_WIRED",
     [NETOPT_LINK]                  = "NETOPT_LINK",
+    [NETOPT_ACTIVE]                = "NETOPT_ACTIVE",
     [NETOPT_DEVICE_TYPE]           = "NETOPT_DEVICE_TYPE",
     [NETOPT_CHANNEL_PAGE]          = "NETOPT_CHANNEL_PAGE",
     [NETOPT_CCA_THRESHOLD]         = "NETOPT_CCA_THRESHOLD",