diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_init.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_init.c
index 71a183ffc77f..c3676bf1d6c4 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_init.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_init.c
@@ -861,6 +861,7 @@ static int ath9k_init_device(struct ath9k_htc_priv *priv,
 	if (error != 0)
 		goto err_rx;
 
+	ath9k_hw_disable(priv->ah);
 #ifdef CONFIG_MAC80211_LEDS
 	/* must be initialized before ieee80211_register_hw */
 	priv->led_cdev.default_trigger = ieee80211_create_tpt_led_trigger(priv->hw,