diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
index 3384ca164562..a5779a775149 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
@@ -486,6 +486,7 @@ static int ath9k_hw_post_init(struct ath_hw *ah)
 		ath_print(ath9k_hw_common(ah), ATH_DBG_FATAL,
 			  "Failed allocating banks for "
 			  "external radio\n");
+		ath9k_hw_rf_free_ext_banks(ah);
 		return ecode;
 	}