diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/virtual/virt_wifi.c b/drivers/net/wireless/virtual/virt_wifi.c
index b69a4650fba8..48afc2432f93 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/virtual/virt_wifi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/virtual/virt_wifi.c
@@ -558,7 +558,6 @@ static int virt_wifi_newlink(struct net_device *dev,
 	}
 
 	eth_hw_addr_inherit(dev, priv->lowerdev);
-	netif_stacked_transfer_operstate(priv->lowerdev, dev);
 
 	dev->ieee80211_ptr = kzalloc_obj(*dev->ieee80211_ptr);
 
@@ -584,6 +583,8 @@ static int virt_wifi_newlink(struct net_device *dev,
 		goto unregister_netdev;
 	}
 
+	netif_stacked_transfer_operstate(priv->lowerdev, dev);
+
 	dev->priv_destructor = virt_wifi_net_device_destructor;
 	priv->being_deleted = false;
 	priv->is_connected = false;