diff --git a/netbox/dcim/migrations/0182_protect_child_interfaces.py b/netbox/dcim/migrations/0182_protect_child_interfaces.py
index 8227f01f0..9b909668e 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/migrations/0182_protect_child_interfaces.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/migrations/0182_protect_child_interfaces.py
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
         migrations.AlterField(
             model_name='interface',
             name='parent',
-            field=models.ForeignKey(blank=True, null=True, on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.PROTECT, related_name='child_interfaces', to='dcim.interface'),
+            field=models.ForeignKey(blank=True, null=True, on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.RESTRICT, related_name='child_interfaces', to='dcim.interface'),
         ),
     ]
diff --git a/netbox/dcim/models/device_components.py b/netbox/dcim/models/device_components.py
index fe527be33..94568459e 100644
--- a/netbox/dcim/models/device_components.py
+++ b/netbox/dcim/models/device_components.py
@@ -537,7 +537,7 @@ class BaseInterface(models.Model):
     )
     parent = models.ForeignKey(
         to='self',
-        on_delete=models.PROTECT,
+        on_delete=models.RESTRICT,
         related_name='child_interfaces',
         null=True,
         blank=True,
diff --git a/netbox/virtualization/migrations/0037_protect_child_interfaces.py b/netbox/virtualization/migrations/0037_protect_child_interfaces.py
index 2a01fad6d..ab6cf0cb3 100644
--- a/netbox/virtualization/migrations/0037_protect_child_interfaces.py
+++ b/netbox/virtualization/migrations/0037_protect_child_interfaces.py
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@ class Migration(migrations.Migration):
         migrations.AlterField(
             model_name='vminterface',
             name='parent',
-            field=models.ForeignKey(blank=True, null=True, on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.PROTECT, related_name='child_interfaces', to='virtualization.vminterface'),
+            field=models.ForeignKey(blank=True, null=True, on_delete=django.db.models.deletion.RESTRICT, related_name='child_interfaces', to='virtualization.vminterface'),
         ),
     ]