diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
index 3589f1f3e744..72ad84fde5c1 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
@@ -1250,6 +1250,7 @@ static int ath9k_add_interface(struct ieee80211_hw *hw,
 	struct ath_vif *avp = (void *)vif->drv_priv;
 	struct ath_node *an = &avp->mcast_node;
 
+	mutex_lock(&sc->mutex);
 	if (IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_ATH9K_TX99)) {
 		if (sc->cur_chan->nvifs >= 1) {
 			mutex_unlock(&sc->mutex);
@@ -1258,8 +1259,6 @@ static int ath9k_add_interface(struct ieee80211_hw *hw,
 		sc->tx99_vif = vif;
 	}
 
-	mutex_lock(&sc->mutex);
-
 	ath_dbg(common, CONFIG, "Attach a VIF of type: %d\n", vif->type);
 	sc->cur_chan->nvifs++;