diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
index 145604abd08e..4e84f24fd439 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211.c
@@ -2474,6 +2474,8 @@ static int ieee80211_open(struct net_device *dev)
 	if (sdata->type == IEEE80211_IF_TYPE_STA &&
 	    !local->user_space_mlme)
 		netif_carrier_off(dev);
+	else
+		netif_carrier_on(dev);
 
 	netif_start_queue(dev);
 	return 0;