--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/main.c
@@ -1471,10 +1471,10 @@ static void ath9k_remove_interface(struc
 	    (sc->sc_ah->opmode == NL80211_IFTYPE_MESH_POINT)) {
 		ath9k_ps_wakeup(sc);
 		ath9k_hw_stoptxdma(sc->sc_ah, sc->beacon.beaconq);
-		ath_beacon_return(sc, avp);
 		ath9k_ps_restore(sc);
 	}
 
+	ath_beacon_return(sc, avp);
 	sc->sc_flags &= ~SC_OP_BEACONS;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < ARRAY_SIZE(sc->beacon.bslot); i++) {