diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 64cfda611..25fd3833b 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -215,6 +215,7 @@ IMPROVEMENTS:
 
 BUG FIXES:
 
+  - The `:nic_type` option for private networks is respected. [GH-1704]
   - Ignore "guest not ready" errors when attempting to graceful halt and
     carry on checks whether the halt succeeded. [GH-1679]
   - Handle the case where a roles path for Chef solo isn't properly
diff --git a/plugins/providers/virtualbox/action/network.rb b/plugins/providers/virtualbox/action/network.rb
index 9a6050db9..67dfeb545 100644
--- a/plugins/providers/virtualbox/action/network.rb
+++ b/plugins/providers/virtualbox/action/network.rb
@@ -212,6 +212,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
           options = {
             :auto_config => true,
             :mac         => nil,
+            :nic_type    => nil,
             :netmask     => "255.255.255.0",
             :type        => :static
           }.merge(options)
@@ -271,7 +272,7 @@ module VagrantPlugins
             :ip          => options[:ip],
             :mac         => options[:mac],
             :netmask     => options[:netmask],
-            :nic_type    => nil,
+            :nic_type    => options[:nic_type],
             :type        => options[:type]
           }.merge(dhcp_options)
         end