A STP n-node VLT system includes a first VLT device with a first virtual port, and a second VLT device with a LAG port, a non-LAG port, and a second virtual port coupled to the first virtual port. A STP engine designates the first VLT device as a root bridge and, in response, designates the first virtual port a designated port and the second virtual port a root port. The STP engine then designates a networking device coupled to the LAG port as the root bridge based on it having a higher priority than the first VLT device. Then STP engine then determines that a non-LAG link between the networking device and the second VLT device has caused the redesignation of the second virtual port as an alternate port and the non-LAG port as a root port, and swaps the designations of the second virtual port and the non-LAG port.