diff --git a/net/mac80211/mlme.c b/net/mac80211/mlme.c
index d595265d6c22..7a334fdd8d6c 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mlme.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mlme.c
@@ -2200,6 +2200,9 @@ void ieee80211_sta_restart(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 {
 	struct ieee80211_if_managed *ifmgd = &sdata->u.mgd;
 
+	if (!ifmgd->associated)
+		return;
+
 	if (test_and_clear_bit(TMR_RUNNING_TIMER, &ifmgd->timers_running))
 		add_timer(&ifmgd->timer);
 	if (test_and_clear_bit(TMR_RUNNING_CHANSW, &ifmgd->timers_running))