diff --git a/net/mac80211/cfg.c b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
index 505f1d6ccd16..f3fc0be9d8ea 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/cfg.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/cfg.c
@@ -2953,8 +2953,9 @@ static int ieee80211_set_mcast_rate(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 	memcpy(sdata->vif.bss_conf.mcast_rate, rate,
 	       sizeof(int) * NUM_NL80211_BANDS);
 
-	ieee80211_link_info_change_notify(sdata, &sdata->deflink,
-					  BSS_CHANGED_MCAST_RATE);
+	if (ieee80211_sdata_running(sdata))
+		ieee80211_link_info_change_notify(sdata, &sdata->deflink,
+						  BSS_CHANGED_MCAST_RATE);
 
 	return 0;
 }