diff --git a/cloud/docker/docker.py b/cloud/docker/docker.py
index 4a3631c69ed..2ebb2ea6077 100644
--- a/cloud/docker/docker.py
+++ b/cloud/docker/docker.py
@@ -1110,8 +1110,8 @@ class DockerManager(object):
 
             # NETWORK MODE
 
-            expected_netmode = self.module.params.get('net') or ''
-            actual_netmode = container['HostConfig']['NetworkMode']
+            expected_netmode = self.module.params.get('net') or 'bridge'
+            actual_netmode = container['HostConfig']['NetworkMode'] or 'bridge'
             if actual_netmode != expected_netmode:
                 self.reload_reasons.append('net ({0} => {1})'.format(actual_netmode, expected_netmode))
                 differing.append(container)