diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/recv.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/recv.c
index 079361423efc..4420a5800bd6 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/recv.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath9k/recv.c
@@ -100,6 +100,9 @@ static bool ath9k_rx_accept(struct ath_common *common,
 	hdr = (struct ieee80211_hdr *) skb->data;
 	fc = hdr->frame_control;
 
+	if (!rx_stats->rs_datalen)
+		return false;
+
 	if (rx_stats->rs_more) {
 		/*
 		 * Frame spans multiple descriptors; this cannot happen yet
@@ -793,9 +796,6 @@ int ath_rx_tasklet(struct ath_softc *sc, int flush)
 		if (flush)
 			goto requeue;
 
-		if (!rx_stats->rs_datalen)
-			goto requeue;
-
 		/* The status portion of the descriptor could get corrupted. */
 		if (sc->rx.bufsize < rx_stats->rs_datalen)
 			goto requeue;