diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/core.c
index 8dc4d9308593..2d337a0c3df0 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/core.c
@@ -194,6 +194,7 @@ static int rtl_op_add_interface(struct ieee80211_hw *hw,
 					rtlpriv->cfg->maps
 					[RTL_IBSS_INT_MASKS]);
 		}
+		mac->link_state = MAC80211_LINKED;
 		break;
 	case NL80211_IFTYPE_ADHOC:
 		RT_TRACE(rtlpriv, COMP_MAC80211, DBG_LOUD,