diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
index ac36873d6da4..8c5c2dd8fa7f 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hw.c
@@ -1603,6 +1603,10 @@ bool ath9k_hw_check_alive(struct ath_hw *ah)
 	int count = 50;
 	u32 reg, last_val;
 
+	/* Check if chip failed to wake up */
+	if (REG_READ(ah, AR_CFG) == 0xdeadbeef)
+		return false;
+
 	if (AR_SREV_9300(ah))
 		return !ath9k_hw_detect_mac_hang(ah);