diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/usb.c
index a3e03580cd9f..68ab6b1bc20d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/carl9170/usb.c
@@ -445,6 +445,8 @@ static void carl9170_usb_rx_complete(struct urb *urb)
 			 * device.
 			 */
 
+			if (WARN_ON_ONCE(!ar->registered))
+				return;
 			ieee80211_queue_work(ar->hw, &ar->ping_work);
 		}
 	} else {