diff --git a/drivers/net/ieee802154/mac802154_hwsim.c b/drivers/net/ieee802154/mac802154_hwsim.c
index ed60e691cc2b..d07e5571e07a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/ieee802154/mac802154_hwsim.c
+++ b/drivers/net/ieee802154/mac802154_hwsim.c
@@ -805,6 +805,7 @@ static int hwsim_add_one(struct genl_info *info, struct device *dev,
 		goto err_pib;
 	}
 
+	pib->channel = 13;
 	rcu_assign_pointer(phy->pib, pib);
 	phy->idx = idx;
 	INIT_LIST_HEAD(&phy->edges);