diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
index d39f449..cac9647 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/iwlwifi/iwl-3945.c
@@ -1784,6 +1784,9 @@
 	int rc = 0;
 	bool new_assoc = !!(staging_rxon->filter_flags & RXON_FILTER_ASSOC_MSK);
 
+	if (test_bit(STATUS_EXIT_PENDING, &priv->status))
+		return -EINVAL;
+
 	if (!iwl_is_alive(priv))
 		return -1;