diff --git a/usr.sbin/arp/arp_netlink.c b/usr.sbin/arp/arp_netlink.c
--- a/usr.sbin/arp/arp_netlink.c
+++ b/usr.sbin/arp/arp_netlink.c
@@ -390,9 +390,6 @@
 		return (0);
 	}
 
-	if (opts.expire_time != 0)
-		opts.flags &= ~RTF_STATIC;
-
 	snl_init_writer(&ss, &nw);
 	struct nlmsghdr *hdr = snl_create_msg_request(&nw, RTM_NEWNEIGH);
 	hdr->nlmsg_flags |= NLM_F_CREATE | NLM_F_REPLACE;
@@ -406,7 +403,7 @@
 
 		if (opts.flags & RTF_ANNOUNCE)
 			nl_flags |= NTF_PROXY;
-		if (opts.flags & RTF_STATIC)
+		if (opts.expire_time == 0)
 			nl_flags |= NTF_STICKY;
 		ndmsg->ndm_flags = nl_flags;
 	}