diff --git a/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor.go b/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor.go
index 7f7c42d08..b3fa82e52 100644
--- a/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor.go
+++ b/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor.go
@@ -28,16 +28,11 @@ type NetworkMonitor struct {
 	cancel context.CancelFunc
 	wg     sync.WaitGroup
 	mu     sync.Mutex
-
-	// nexthopChanged reports whether the default next hop changed; overridable in tests.
-	nexthopChanged func(oldv4, oldv6 systemops.Nexthop) bool
 }
 
 // New creates a new network monitor.
 func New() *NetworkMonitor {
-	return &NetworkMonitor{
-		nexthopChanged: nexthopChanged,
-	}
+	return &NetworkMonitor{}
 }
 
 // Listen begins monitoring network changes. When a change is detected, this function will return without error.
@@ -104,7 +99,7 @@ func (nw *NetworkMonitor) Listen(ctx context.Context) (err error) {
 		case <-timer.C:
 			// A flapping NIC may return to the same default route after the
 			// debounce window; only restart if the next hop actually changed.
-			if nw.nexthopChanged(nexthop4, nexthop6) {
+			if nexthopChanged(nexthop4, nexthop6) {
 				return nil
 			}
 			log.Debug("Network monitor: default route unchanged after debounce, ignoring")
diff --git a/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor_test.go b/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor_test.go
index a948eba8f..a58013fd0 100644
--- a/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor_test.go
+++ b/client/internal/networkmonitor/monitor_test.go
@@ -61,7 +61,6 @@ func TestNetworkMonitor_Event(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 	nw := New()
-	nw.nexthopChanged = func(_, _ systemops.Nexthop) bool { return true }
 	defer nw.Stop()
 
 	var resErr error
@@ -83,7 +82,6 @@ func TestNetworkMonitor_MultiEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	checkChangeFn = me.checkChange
 
 	nw := New()
-	nw.nexthopChanged = func(_, _ systemops.Nexthop) bool { return true }
 	defer nw.Stop()
 
 	done := make(chan struct{})