diff --git a/crates/agent/src/main_loop.rs b/crates/agent/src/main_loop.rs
index 16709adddf..d611e7c203 100644
--- a/crates/agent/src/main_loop.rs
+++ b/crates/agent/src/main_loop.rs
@@ -877,7 +877,7 @@ impl MainLoop {
                             hbn_root: &self.agent_config.hbn.root_dir,
                             host_routes: &tenant_peers,
                             has_changed_configs,
-                            min_healthy_links: conf.min_dpu_functioning_links.unwrap_or(2),
+                            min_healthy_links: conf.min_dpu_functioning_links.unwrap_or(1),
                             route_servers: &conf.route_servers,
                             hbn_device_names: self.hbn_device_names.clone(),
                             include_dhcp_server: !conf.use_admin_network || conf.is_primary_dpu,