diff --git a/net/arp.hh b/net/arp.hh
index 3e45c399bb..7abdb5fcd5 100644
--- a/net/arp.hh
+++ b/net/arp.hh
@@ -194,10 +194,6 @@ arp_for<L3>::learn(l2addr hwaddr, l3addr paddr) {
 template <typename L3>
 unsigned arp_for<L3>::forward(packet& p, size_t off)
 {
-    auto ah = p.get_header<arp_hdr>(off);
-    if (ntoh(ah->oper) == op_reply) {
-        return std::numeric_limits<unsigned>::max(); // broadcast reply
-    }
     return engine.cpu_id();
 }
 
@@ -216,7 +212,7 @@ arp_for<L3>::received(packet p) {
     case op_request:
         return handle_request(&h);
     case op_reply:
-        learn(h.sender_hwaddr, h.sender_paddr);
+        arp_learn(h.sender_hwaddr, h.sender_paddr);
         return make_ready_future<>();
     default:
         return make_ready_future<>();
diff --git a/net/ip.hh b/net/ip.hh
index fd10e50528..72508cbdc2 100644
--- a/net/ip.hh
+++ b/net/ip.hh
@@ -249,6 +249,9 @@ public:
     void register_l4(proto_type id, ip_protocol* handler);
     net::hw_features hw_features() { return _netif->hw_features(); }
     static bool needs_frag(packet& p, ip_protocol_num proto_num, net::hw_features hw_features);
+    void learn(ethernet_address l2, ipv4_address l3) {
+        _arp.learn(l2, l3);
+    }
 };
 
 template <ip_protocol_num ProtoNum>
@@ -312,6 +315,8 @@ struct l4connid<InetTraits>::connid_hash : private std::hash<ipaddr>, private st
     }
 };
 
+void arp_learn(ethernet_address l2, ipv4_address l3);
+
 }
 
 #endif /* IP_HH_ */
diff --git a/net/native-stack.cc b/net/native-stack.cc
index 518f6a553f..d103cf4242 100644
--- a/net/native-stack.cc
+++ b/net/native-stack.cc
@@ -111,6 +111,9 @@ public:
         return ready_promise.get_future();
     }
     virtual bool has_per_core_namespace() override { return true; };
+    void arp_learn(ethernet_address l2, ipv4_address l3) {
+        _inet.learn(l2, l3);
+    }
     friend class native_server_socket_impl<tcp4>;
 };
 
@@ -228,6 +231,16 @@ future<> native_network_stack::initialize() {
     });
 }
 
+void arp_learn(ethernet_address l2, ipv4_address l3)
+{
+    for (unsigned i = 0; i < smp::count; i++) {
+        smp::submit_to(i, [l2, l3] {
+            auto & ns = static_cast<native_network_stack&>(engine.net());
+            ns.arp_learn(l2, l3);
+        });
+    }
+}
+
 void create_native_stack(boost::program_options::variables_map opts, std::shared_ptr<device> dev) {
     native_network_stack::ready_promise.set_value(std::unique_ptr<network_stack>(std::make_unique<native_network_stack>(opts, std::move(dev))));
 }