diff --git a/lib/puppet/provider/network_config/interfaces.rb b/lib/puppet/provider/network_config/interfaces.rb
index b65b3132..11d32de7 100644
--- a/lib/puppet/provider/network_config/interfaces.rb
+++ b/lib/puppet/provider/network_config/interfaces.rb
@@ -287,10 +287,10 @@ def self.format_file(filename, providers)
         [:netmask,   'netmask'],
         [:mtu,       'mtu'],
       ].each do |(property, section)|
-        stanza << "#{section} #{provider.send property}" if provider.send(property)
+        stanza << "#{section} #{provider.send property}" if provider.send(property) and provider.send(property) != :absent
       end
 
-      if provider.options
+      if provider.options and provider.options != :absent
         provider.options.each_pair do |key, val|
           if val.is_a? String
             stanza << "    #{key} #{val}"