diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/rfkill.c b/drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/rfkill.c
index 8783022db11e..d579df72b783 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/rfkill.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/b43legacy/rfkill.c
@@ -34,6 +34,13 @@ bool b43legacy_is_hw_radio_enabled(struct b43legacy_wldev *dev)
 		      & B43legacy_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_HI_MASK))
 			return 1;
 	} else {
+		/* To prevent CPU fault on PPC, do not read a register
+		 * unless the interface is started; however, on resume
+		 * for hibernation, this routine is entered early. When
+		 * that happens, unconditionally return TRUE.
+		 */
+		if (b43legacy_status(dev) < B43legacy_STAT_STARTED)
+			return 1;
 		if (b43legacy_read16(dev, B43legacy_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_LO)
 		    & B43legacy_MMIO_RADIO_HWENABLED_LO_MASK)
 			return 1;