diff --git a/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config b/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
index c732f693f04..d7f607712bb 100755
--- a/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
+++ b/patches/systemvm/debian/config/etc/init.d/cloud-early-config
@@ -250,10 +250,14 @@ setup_common() {
   fi
  
   # a hacking way to activate vSwitch under VMware
-  ping -n -c 3 -w 5 $GW
+  ping -n -c 3 $GW &
+  sleep 3
+  pkill ping
   if [ -n "$MGMTNET"  -a -n "$LOCAL_GW" ]
   then
-      ping -n -c 3 -w 5 $LOCAL_GW
+      ping -n -c 3 $LOCAL_GW &
+      sleep 3
+      pkill ping
   fi
 }