diff --git a/net/haproxy/pkg-descr b/net/haproxy/pkg-descr
index c4e4ba901..0b23647bf 100644
--- a/net/haproxy/pkg-descr
+++ b/net/haproxy/pkg-descr
@@ -11,6 +11,12 @@ Plugin Changelog
 Added:
 * add support for advanced resolver properties (#2330)
 
+Fixed:
+* no haproxy.conf after restoring a config backup (#2474)
+
+Changed:
+* deploy haproxy.conf if it does not exist (#2474)
+
 3.5
 
 Fixed:
diff --git a/net/haproxy/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/start/50-haproxy b/net/haproxy/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/start/50-haproxy
new file mode 100755
index 000000000..09c0e0ef1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/net/haproxy/src/etc/rc.syshook.d/start/50-haproxy
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#!/bin/sh
+
+# fallback if no config file exists (i.e. after config backup restore)
+if [ ! -e /usr/local/etc/haproxy.conf -a -e /usr/local/etc/haproxy.conf.staging ]; then
+    cp /usr/local/etc/haproxy.conf.staging /usr/local/etc/haproxy.conf
+    /usr/local/etc/rc.d/haproxy start
+fi