diff --git a/network/loopback.go b/network/loopback.go
index 46a1fa8c8..1667b4d82 100644
--- a/network/loopback.go
+++ b/network/loopback.go
@@ -15,9 +15,7 @@ func (l *Loopback) Create(n *Network, nspid int, networkState *NetworkState) err
 }
 
 func (l *Loopback) Initialize(config *Network, networkState *NetworkState) error {
-	if err := SetMtu("lo", config.Mtu); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("set lo mtu to %d %s", config.Mtu, err)
-	}
+	// Do not set the MTU on the loopback interface - use the default.
 	if err := InterfaceUp("lo"); err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("lo up %s", err)
 	}
diff --git a/network/types.go b/network/types.go
index 0f1df30e8..3b7a4e395 100644
--- a/network/types.go
+++ b/network/types.go
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ type Network struct {
 
 	// Mtu sets the mtu value for the interface and will be mirrored on both the host and
 	// container's interfaces if a pair is created, specifically in the case of type veth
+	// Note: This does not apply to loopback interfaces.
 	Mtu int `json:"mtu,omitempty"`
 }