diff --git a/drivers/vdpa/mlx5/net/mlx5_vnet.c b/drivers/vdpa/mlx5/net/mlx5_vnet.c
index 9138ef2fb2c85..6b6eb69a8a906 100644
--- a/drivers/vdpa/mlx5/net/mlx5_vnet.c
+++ b/drivers/vdpa/mlx5/net/mlx5_vnet.c
@@ -2517,7 +2517,15 @@ static int mlx5_vdpa_set_driver_features(struct vdpa_device *vdev, u64 features)
 	else
 		ndev->rqt_size = 1;
 
-	ndev->cur_num_vqs = 2 * ndev->rqt_size;
+	/* Device must start with 1 queue pair, as per VIRTIO v1.2 spec, section
+	 * 5.1.6.5.5 "Device operation in multiqueue mode":
+	 *
+	 * Multiqueue is disabled by default.
+	 * The driver enables multiqueue by sending a command using class
+	 * VIRTIO_NET_CTRL_MQ. The command selects the mode of multiqueue
+	 * operation, as follows: ...
+	 */
+	ndev->cur_num_vqs = 2;
 
 	update_cvq_info(mvdev);
 	return err;