diff --git a/coordinator/backplane.lua b/coordinator/backplane.lua
index 4d72e3f..af04d20 100644
--- a/coordinator/backplane.lua
+++ b/coordinator/backplane.lua
@@ -294,6 +294,10 @@ function backplane.attach(type, device, iface)
             -- the wireless NIC already has a modem
             log_sys("standby wireless modem connected")
             log.info("BKPLN: standby wireless modem connected")
+        elseif wd_nic and wd_nic.is_modem(device) then
+            -- wired, but not active
+            log_sys("standby wired modem disconnected")
+            log.info("BKPLN: standby wired modem disconnected")
         else
             log_sys("unassigned modem connected")
             log.warning("BKPLN: unassigned modem connected")
diff --git a/reactor-plc/backplane.lua b/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
index ef2759e..62e429b 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/backplane.lua
@@ -306,6 +306,10 @@ function backplane.detach(iface, type, device, print_no_fp)
             -- wireless, but not active
             print_no_fp("standby wireless modem disconnected")
             log.info("BKPLN: standby wireless modem disconnected")
+        elseif wd_nic and wd_nic.is_modem(device) then
+            -- wired, but not active
+            print_no_fp("standby wired modem disconnected")
+            log.info("BKPLN: standby wired modem disconnected")
         else
             print_no_fp("unassigned modem disconnected")
             log.warning("BKPLN: unassigned modem disconnected")
diff --git a/rtu/backplane.lua b/rtu/backplane.lua
index 0d935d0..990c0df 100644
--- a/rtu/backplane.lua
+++ b/rtu/backplane.lua
@@ -243,6 +243,10 @@ function backplane.detach(type, device, iface, print_no_fp)
             -- wireless, but not active
             print_no_fp("standby wireless modem disconnected")
             log.info("BKPLN: standby wireless modem disconnected")
+        elseif wd_nic and wd_nic.is_modem(device) then
+            -- wired, but not active
+            print_no_fp("standby wired modem disconnected")
+            log.info("BKPLN: standby wired modem disconnected")
         else
             print_no_fp("unassigned modem disconnected")
             log.warning("BKPLN: unassigned modem disconnected")