diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
index add8cf3..ea40829 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/net/config/basics/BasicDeviceConfig.java
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
      * @return driver name of null if not set
      */
     public String driver() {
-        return get(DRIVER, subject.toString());
+        return get(DRIVER, null);
     }
 
     /**