--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ static bool ath_prepare_reset(struct ath
 {
 	struct ath_hw *ah = sc->sc_ah;
 	struct ath_common *common = ath9k_hw_common(ah);
-	bool ret;
+	bool ret = true;
 
 	ieee80211_stop_queues(sc->hw);
 
@@ -246,11 +246,12 @@ static bool ath_prepare_reset(struct ath
 	ath9k_debug_samp_bb_mac(sc);
 	ath9k_hw_disable_interrupts(ah);
 
-	ret = ath_drain_all_txq(sc, retry_tx);
-
 	if (!ath_stoprecv(sc))
 		ret = false;
 
+	if (!ath_drain_all_txq(sc, retry_tx))
+		ret = false;
+
 	if (!flush) {
 		if (ah->caps.hw_caps & ATH9K_HW_CAP_EDMA)
 			ath_rx_tasklet(sc, 1, true);