--- a/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
+++ b/src/drivers/driver_nl80211.c
@@ -4418,10 +4418,10 @@ static void *i802_init(struct hostapd_da
 	/* start listening for EAPOL on the default AP interface */
 	add_ifidx(drv, drv->ifindex);
 
-	if (params->bssid) {
-		if (hostapd_set_iface_flags(drv, drv->ifname, 0))
-			goto failed;
+	if (hostapd_set_iface_flags(drv, drv->ifname, 0))
+		goto failed;
 
+	if (params->bssid) {
 		if (set_ifhwaddr(drv, drv->ifname, params->bssid))
 			goto failed;
 	}