diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
index 3795686f6e2a..364f7884a3d3 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath6kl/cfg80211.c
@@ -427,8 +427,10 @@ static int ath6kl_cfg80211_connect(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 
 	if (sme->ie && (sme->ie_len > 0)) {
 		status = ath6kl_set_assoc_req_ies(vif, sme->ie, sme->ie_len);
-		if (status)
+		if (status) {
+			up(&ar->sem);
 			return status;
+		}
 	} else
 		ar->connect_ctrl_flags &= ~CONNECT_WPS_FLAG;