diff --git a/neutron/plugins/ml2/plugin.py b/neutron/plugins/ml2/plugin.py
index 6f56e6b75ed..244ed7533a9 100644
--- a/neutron/plugins/ml2/plugin.py
+++ b/neutron/plugins/ml2/plugin.py
@@ -1002,7 +1002,7 @@ class Ml2Plugin(db_base_plugin_v2.NeutronDbPluginV2,
             if not port_db:
                 raise exc.PortNotFound(port_id=id)
             mac_address_updated = self._check_mac_update_allowed(
-                port_db, port, binding)
+                port_db, attrs, binding)
             need_port_update_notify |= mac_address_updated
             original_port = self._make_port_dict(port_db)
             updated_port = super(Ml2Plugin, self).update_port(context, id,
diff --git a/neutron/tests/unit/ml2/test_ml2_plugin.py b/neutron/tests/unit/ml2/test_ml2_plugin.py
index bb12b3893dd..c9ccf773b07 100644
--- a/neutron/tests/unit/ml2/test_ml2_plugin.py
+++ b/neutron/tests/unit/ml2/test_ml2_plugin.py
@@ -460,6 +460,31 @@ class TestMl2PortsV2(test_plugin.TestPortsV2, Ml2PluginV2TestCase):
             self.assertIsNone(l3plugin.disassociate_floatingips(ctx, port_id))
 
 
+class TestMl2PluginOnly(Ml2PluginV2TestCase):
+    """For testing methods that don't call drivers"""
+
+    def _test_check_mac_update_allowed(self, vif_type, expect_change=True):
+        plugin = manager.NeutronManager.get_plugin()
+        port = {'mac_address': "fake_mac", 'id': "fake_id"}
+        if expect_change:
+            new_attrs = {"mac_address": "dummy_mac"}
+        else:
+            new_attrs = {"mac_address": port['mac_address']}
+        binding = mock.Mock()
+        binding.vif_type = vif_type
+        mac_changed = plugin._check_mac_update_allowed(port, new_attrs,
+                                                       binding)
+        self.assertEqual(expect_change, mac_changed)
+
+    def test_check_mac_update_allowed_if_no_mac_change(self):
+        self._test_check_mac_update_allowed(portbindings.VIF_TYPE_UNBOUND,
+                                            expect_change=False)
+
+    def test_check_mac_update_allowed_unless_bound(self):
+        with testtools.ExpectedException(exc.PortBound):
+            self._test_check_mac_update_allowed(portbindings.VIF_TYPE_OVS)
+
+
 class TestMl2DvrPortsV2(TestMl2PortsV2):
     def setUp(self):
         super(TestMl2DvrPortsV2, self).setUp()