diff --git a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
index 68af62306385..d69983370381 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/mesh_hwmp.c
@@ -328,6 +328,9 @@ u32 airtime_link_metric_get(struct ieee80211_local *local,
 	unsigned long fail_avg =
 		ewma_mesh_fail_avg_read(&sta->mesh->fail_avg);
 
+	if (sta->mesh->plink_state != NL80211_PLINK_ESTAB)
+		return MAX_METRIC;
+
 	/* Try to get rate based on HW/SW RC algorithm.
 	 * Rate is returned in units of Kbps, correct this
 	 * to comply with airtime calculation units