diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/link.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/link.c
index 39c84ecf6a4..7fdac6c7b3e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/link.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/link.c
@@ -170,7 +170,8 @@ void ath_rx_poll(unsigned long data)
 {
 	struct ath_softc *sc = (struct ath_softc *)data;
 
-	ieee80211_queue_work(sc->hw, &sc->hw_check_work);
+	if (!test_bit(SC_OP_INVALID, &sc->sc_flags))
+		ieee80211_queue_work(sc->hw, &sc->hw_check_work);
 }
 
 /*