diff --git a/jdk/src/share/classes/java/net/NetworkInterface.java b/jdk/src/share/classes/java/net/NetworkInterface.java
index 07941b062fd..eb332713985 100644
--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/java/net/NetworkInterface.java
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/java/net/NetworkInterface.java
@@ -221,11 +221,12 @@ public final class NetworkInterface {
      * A display name is a human readable String describing the network
      * device.
      *
-     * @return the display name of this network interface,
-     *         or null if no display name is available.
+     * @return a non-empty string representing the display name of this network
+     *         interface, or null if no display name is available.
      */
     public String getDisplayName() {
-        return displayName;
+        /* strict TCK conformance */
+        return "".equals(displayName) ? null : displayName;
     }
 
     /**