diff --git a/pkg/proxy/userspace/proxier.go b/pkg/proxy/userspace/proxier.go
index 5032577b81f..5224d45d4b8 100644
--- a/pkg/proxy/userspace/proxier.go
+++ b/pkg/proxy/userspace/proxier.go
@@ -166,9 +166,15 @@ func NewCustomProxier(loadBalancer LoadBalancer, listenIP net.IP, iptables iptab
 		return nil, ErrProxyOnLocalhost
 	}
 
-	hostIP, err := utilnet.ChooseHostInterface()
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to select a host interface: %v", err)
+	// If listenIP is given, assume that is the intended host IP.  Otherwise
+	// try to find a suitable host IP address from network interfaces.
+	var err error
+	hostIP := listenIP
+	if hostIP.Equal(net.IPv4zero) {
+		hostIP, err = utilnet.ChooseHostInterface()
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, fmt.Errorf("failed to select a host interface: %v", err)
+		}
 	}
 
 	err = setRLimit(64 * 1000)