--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_txrx.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/htc_drv_txrx.c
@@ -133,6 +133,10 @@ get_htc_epid_queue(struct ath9k_htc_priv
 	struct ath_common *common = ath9k_hw_common(priv->ah);
 	struct sk_buff_head *epid_queue = NULL;
 
+	if (priv->tx.initialized != true)
+		return NULL;
+	smp_rmb();
+
 	if (epid == priv->mgmt_ep)
 		epid_queue = &priv->tx.mgmt_ep_queue;
 	else if (epid == priv->cab_ep)