diff --git a/net/mac80211/link.c b/net/mac80211/link.c
index db49bcec5db4..43f9672fc7f1 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/link.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/link.c
@@ -450,10 +450,13 @@ int ieee80211_set_active_links(struct ieee80211_vif *vif, u16 active_links)
 	if (WARN_ON(!active_links))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
+	old_active = sdata->vif.active_links;
+	if (old_active == active_links)
+		return 0;
+
 	if (!drv_can_activate_links(local, sdata, active_links))
 		return -EINVAL;
 
-	old_active = sdata->vif.active_links;
 	if (old_active & active_links) {
 		/*
 		 * if there's at least one link that stays active across