diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
index 3f55e90c43fc..20ba6fa5f1f1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath5k/base.c
@@ -2687,7 +2687,7 @@ ath5k_reset(struct ath5k_softc *sc, struct ieee80211_channel *chan)
 		sc->curchan = chan;
 		sc->curband = &sc->sbands[chan->band];
 	}
-	ret = ath5k_hw_reset(ah, sc->opmode, sc->curchan, true);
+	ret = ath5k_hw_reset(ah, sc->opmode, sc->curchan, chan != NULL);
 	if (ret) {
 		ATH5K_ERR(sc, "can't reset hardware (%d)\n", ret);
 		goto err;