diff --git a/gns3server/modules/virtualbox/virtualbox_vm.py b/gns3server/modules/virtualbox/virtualbox_vm.py
index 3c8d471a..648eafd6 100644
--- a/gns3server/modules/virtualbox/virtualbox_vm.py
+++ b/gns3server/modules/virtualbox/virtualbox_vm.py
@@ -813,8 +813,8 @@ class VirtualBoxVM(BaseVM):
                 yield from self._control_vm("nicproperty{} dport={}".format(adapter_number + 1, nio.rport))
                 yield from self._control_vm("setlinkstate{} on".format(adapter_number + 1))
             elif isinstance(nio, NIONAT):
-                yield from self._modify_vm("--nic{} nat".format(adapter_number + 1))
-                yield from self._modify_vm("--cableconnected{} on".format(adapter_number + 1))
+                yield from self._control_vm("nic{} nat".format(adapter_number + 1))
+                yield from self._control_vm("setlinkstate{} on".format(adapter_number + 1))
 
         adapter.add_nio(0, nio)
         log.info("VirtualBox VM '{name}' [{id}]: {nio} added to adapter {adapter_number}".format(name=self.name,