diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
index 6530694a59ae..722967b86cf1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
@@ -2303,6 +2303,12 @@ static void ath9k_flush(struct ieee80211_hw *hw, bool drop)
 	mutex_lock(&sc->mutex);
 	cancel_delayed_work_sync(&sc->tx_complete_work);
 
+	if (ah->ah_flags & AH_UNPLUGGED) {
+		ath_dbg(common, ATH_DBG_ANY, "Device has been unplugged!\n");
+		mutex_unlock(&sc->mutex);
+		return;
+	}
+
 	if (sc->sc_flags & SC_OP_INVALID) {
 		ath_dbg(common, ATH_DBG_ANY, "Device not present\n");
 		mutex_unlock(&sc->mutex);