diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
index bf7ad515e6a..3dec2d25fa3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-core.c
@@ -2474,12 +2474,6 @@ int iwl_mac_config(struct ieee80211_hw *hw, u32 changed)
 
 	mutex_lock(&priv->mutex);
 
-	if (!iwl_is_ready(priv)) {
-		IWL_DEBUG_MAC80211(priv, "leave - not ready\n");
-		ret = -EIO;
-		goto out;
-	}
-
 	IWL_DEBUG_MAC80211(priv, "enter to channel %d changed 0x%X\n",
 					conf->channel->hw_value, changed);
 
@@ -2574,6 +2568,11 @@ int iwl_mac_config(struct ieee80211_hw *hw, u32 changed)
 		goto out;
 	}
 
+	if (!iwl_is_ready(priv)) {
+		IWL_DEBUG_MAC80211(priv, "leave - not ready\n");
+		goto out;
+	}
+
 	if (scan_active)
 		goto out;