diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
index b0acb2961e80..5f4c228b82e5 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
@@ -326,6 +326,9 @@ static u32 airtime_link_metric_get(struct ieee80211_local *local,
 	u32 tx_time, estimated_retx;
 	u64 result;
 
+	if (sta->mesh->plink_state != NL80211_PLINK_ESTAB)
+		return MAX_METRIC;
+
 	/* Try to get rate based on HW/SW RC algorithm.
 	 * Rate is returned in units of Kbps, correct this
 	 * to comply with airtime calculation units