diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
index f9e77c4624d9..01e0dffbf57e 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/init.c
@@ -647,7 +647,9 @@ static int ath9k_of_init(struct ath_softc *sc)
 		ah->ah_flags |= AH_NO_EEP_SWAP;
 	}
 
-	of_get_mac_address(np, common->macaddr);
+	ret = of_get_mac_address(np, common->macaddr);
+	if (ret == -EPROBE_DEFER)
+		return ret;
 
 	return 0;
 }