diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
index 3c5de73dcb4b..88073f4c2b6a 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
@@ -1479,8 +1479,9 @@ static int ath9k_add_interface(struct ieee80211_hw *hw,
 		}
 	}
 
-	if ((vif->type == NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC) &&
-	    sc->nvifs > 0) {
+	if ((ah->opmode == NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC) ||
+	    ((vif->type == NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC) &&
+	     sc->nvifs > 0)) {
 		ath_err(common, "Cannot create ADHOC interface when other"
 			" interfaces already exist.\n");
 		ret = -EINVAL;