diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hif_usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hif_usb.c
index 2469db5a5bb1..5205a3625e84 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hif_usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/hif_usb.c
@@ -1295,7 +1295,9 @@ static void ath9k_hif_usb_disconnect(struct usb_interface *interface)
 
 	usb_set_intfdata(interface, NULL);
 
-	if (!unplugged && (hif_dev->flags & HIF_USB_START))
+	/* If firmware was loaded we should drop it
+	 * go back to first stage bootloader. */
+	if (!unplugged && (hif_dev->flags & HIF_USB_READY))
 		ath9k_hif_usb_reboot(udev);
 
 	kfree(hif_dev);