diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
index 63948f6c9f17..bed0d337712d 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/usb.c
@@ -856,11 +856,9 @@ static int ath6kl_usb_submit_ctrl_out(struct ath6kl_usb *ar_usb,
 	int ret;
 
 	if (size > 0) {
-		buf = kmalloc(size, GFP_KERNEL);
+		buf = kmemdup(data, size, GFP_KERNEL);
 		if (buf == NULL)
 			return -ENOMEM;
-
-		memcpy(buf, data, size);
 	}
 
 	/* note: if successful returns number of bytes transfered */