diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/impl/DeviceManager.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/impl/DeviceManager.java
index 740a110..33200b9 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/impl/DeviceManager.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onlab/onos/net/device/impl/DeviceManager.java
@@ -343,6 +343,13 @@
                          "Port descriptions list cannot be null");
             checkValidity();
 
+            if (!deviceClockProviderService.isTimestampAvailable(deviceId)) {
+                // Never been a master for this device
+                // any update will be ignored.
+                log.trace("Ignoring {} port updates on standby node. {}", deviceId, portDescriptions);
+                return;
+            }
+
             List<DeviceEvent> events = store.updatePorts(this.provider().id(),
                                                          deviceId, portDescriptions);
             for (DeviceEvent event : events) {
@@ -357,6 +364,13 @@
             checkNotNull(portDescription, PORT_DESCRIPTION_NULL);
             checkValidity();
 
+            if (!deviceClockProviderService.isTimestampAvailable(deviceId)) {
+                // Never been a master for this device
+                // any update will be ignored.
+                log.trace("Ignoring {} port update on standby node. {}", deviceId, portDescription);
+                return;
+            }
+
             final DeviceEvent event = store.updatePortStatus(this.provider().id(),
                                                              deviceId, portDescription);
             if (event != null) {