diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/usb.c
index 10cf69c4bc42..46ee956d0235 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/rtlwifi/usb.c
@@ -1117,7 +1117,18 @@ int rtl_usb_probe(struct usb_interface *intf,
 	}
 	rtlpriv->cfg->ops->init_sw_leds(hw);
 
+	err = ieee80211_register_hw(hw);
+	if (err) {
+		RT_TRACE(rtlpriv, COMP_ERR, DBG_EMERG,
+			 "Can't register mac80211 hw.\n");
+		err = -ENODEV;
+		goto error_out;
+	}
+	rtlpriv->mac80211.mac80211_registered = 1;
+
+	set_bit(RTL_STATUS_INTERFACE_START, &rtlpriv->status);
 	return 0;
+
 error_out:
 	rtl_deinit_core(hw);
 	_rtl_usb_io_handler_release(hw);