diff --git a/gns3server/schemas/iou_appliance.py b/gns3server/schemas/iou_appliance.py
index 430fb811..5879266a 100644
--- a/gns3server/schemas/iou_appliance.py
+++ b/gns3server/schemas/iou_appliance.py
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@ IOU_APPLIANCE_PROPERTIES = {
         "type": "string",
         "default": ""
     },
+    "l1_keepalives": {
+        "description": "Always keep up Ethernet interface (does not always work)",
+        "type": "boolean",
+        "default": False
+    },
     "console_type": {
         "description": "Console type",
         "enum": ["telnet", "none"],
diff --git a/tests/handlers/api/controller/test_appliance.py b/tests/handlers/api/controller/test_appliance.py
index a444bd69..890ad94e 100644
--- a/tests/handlers/api/controller/test_appliance.py
+++ b/tests/handlers/api/controller/test_appliance.py
@@ -603,7 +603,8 @@ def test_iou_appliance_create(http_controller):
                          "serial_adapters": 2,
                          "startup_config": "iou_l3_base_startup-config.txt",
                          "symbol": ":/symbols/multilayer_switch.svg",
-                         "use_default_iou_values": True}
+                         "use_default_iou_values": True,
+                         "l1_keepalives": False}
 
     for item, value in expected_response.items():
         assert response.json.get(item) == value