--- a/net/mac80211/ibss.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ibss.c
@@ -530,6 +530,10 @@ int ieee80211_ibss_finish_csa(struct ieee80211_sub_if_data *sdata)
 
 	sdata_assert_lock(sdata);
 
+	/* When not connected/joined, sending CSA doesn't make sense. */
+	if (sdata->u.ibss.state != IEEE80211_IBSS_MLME_JOINED)
+		return -ENOLINK;
+
 	/* update cfg80211 bss information with the new channel */
 	if (!is_zero_ether_addr(ifibss->bssid)) {
 		cbss = cfg80211_get_bss(sdata->local->hw.wiphy,