diff --git a/include/linux/ieee80211.h b/include/linux/ieee80211.h
index aaaa5b90bfe2..5fbc08930941 100644
--- a/include/linux/ieee80211.h
+++ b/include/linux/ieee80211.h
@@ -951,17 +951,24 @@ struct ieee80211_wide_bw_chansw_ie {
  * @dtim_count: DTIM Count
  * @dtim_period: DTIM Period
  * @bitmap_ctrl: Bitmap Control
+ * @required_octet: "Syntatic sugar" to force the struct size to the
+ *                  minimum valid size when carried in a non-S1G PPDU
  * @virtual_map: Partial Virtual Bitmap
  *
  * This structure represents the payload of the "TIM element" as
- * described in IEEE Std 802.11-2020 section 9.4.2.5.
+ * described in IEEE Std 802.11-2020 section 9.4.2.5. Note that this
+ * definition is only applicable when the element is carried in a
+ * non-S1G PPDU. When the TIM is carried in an S1G PPDU, the Bitmap
+ * Control and Partial Virtual Bitmap may not be present.
  */
 struct ieee80211_tim_ie {
 	u8 dtim_count;
 	u8 dtim_period;
 	u8 bitmap_ctrl;
-	/* variable size: 1 - 251 bytes */
-	u8 virtual_map[1];
+	union {
+		u8 required_octet;
+		DECLARE_FLEX_ARRAY(u8, virtual_map);
+	};
 } __packed;
 
 /**