diff --git a/net/tipc/link.c b/net/tipc/link.c
index 774ad3c..2e28a7d 100644
--- a/net/tipc/link.c
+++ b/net/tipc/link.c
@@ -1107,12 +1107,12 @@
 	return released;
 }
 
-/* tipc_link_build_ack_msg: prepare link acknowledge message for transmission
+/* tipc_link_build_state_msg: prepare link state message for transmission
  *
  * Note that sending of broadcast ack is coordinated among nodes, to reduce
  * risk of ack storms towards the sender
  */
-int tipc_link_build_ack_msg(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff_head *xmitq)
+int tipc_link_build_state_msg(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff_head *xmitq)
 {
 	if (!l)
 		return 0;
@@ -1222,7 +1222,7 @@
 		if (!tipc_data_input(l, skb, l->inputq))
 			rc |= tipc_link_input(l, skb, l->inputq);
 		if (unlikely(++l->rcv_unacked >= TIPC_MIN_LINK_WIN))
-			rc |= tipc_link_build_ack_msg(l, xmitq);
+			rc |= tipc_link_build_state_msg(l, xmitq);
 		if (unlikely(rc & ~TIPC_LINK_SND_BC_ACK))
 			break;
 	} while ((skb = __skb_dequeue(defq)));
diff --git a/net/tipc/link.h b/net/tipc/link.h
index 6a94175..d7e9d42 100644
--- a/net/tipc/link.h
+++ b/net/tipc/link.h
@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
 int tipc_link_timeout(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff_head *xmitq);
 int tipc_link_rcv(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff *skb,
 		  struct sk_buff_head *xmitq);
-int tipc_link_build_ack_msg(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff_head *xmitq);
+int tipc_link_build_state_msg(struct tipc_link *l, struct sk_buff_head *xmitq);
 void tipc_link_add_bc_peer(struct tipc_link *snd_l,
 			   struct tipc_link *uc_l,
 			   struct sk_buff_head *xmitq);
diff --git a/net/tipc/node.c b/net/tipc/node.c
index b00e12c..68d9f7b 100644
--- a/net/tipc/node.c
+++ b/net/tipc/node.c
@@ -545,6 +545,9 @@
 	pr_debug("Established link <%s> on network plane %c\n",
 		 tipc_link_name(nl), tipc_link_plane(nl));
 
+	/* Ensure that a STATE message goes first */
+	tipc_link_build_state_msg(nl, xmitq);
+
 	/* First link? => give it both slots */
 	if (!ol) {
 		*slot0 = bearer_id;
@@ -1283,7 +1286,7 @@
 	/* Broadcast ACKs are sent on a unicast link */
 	if (rc & TIPC_LINK_SND_BC_ACK) {
 		tipc_node_read_lock(n);
-		tipc_link_build_ack_msg(le->link, &xmitq);
+		tipc_link_build_state_msg(le->link, &xmitq);
 		tipc_node_read_unlock(n);
 	}