diff --git a/net/wireless/util.c b/net/wireless/util.c
index 8f2d68fc3a44..316cfd00914f 100644
--- a/net/wireless/util.c
+++ b/net/wireless/util.c
@@ -804,7 +804,7 @@ int cfg80211_change_iface(struct cfg80211_registered_device *rdev,
 	     ntype == NL80211_IFTYPE_P2P_CLIENT))
 		return -EBUSY;
 
-	if (ntype != otype) {
+	if (ntype != otype && netif_running(dev)) {
 		err = cfg80211_can_change_interface(rdev, dev->ieee80211_ptr,
 						    ntype);
 		if (err)