diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c
index b2cf3abfe390..50a474f8bc22 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath12k/mac.c
@@ -9101,14 +9101,9 @@ static int ath12k_mac_start(struct ath12k *ar)
 
 static void ath12k_drain_tx(struct ath12k_hw *ah)
 {
-	struct ath12k *ar = ah->radio;
+	struct ath12k *ar;
 	int i;
 
-	if (ath12k_ftm_mode) {
-		ath12k_err(ar->ab, "fail to start mac operations in ftm mode\n");
-		return;
-	}
-
 	lockdep_assert_wiphy(ah->hw->wiphy);
 
 	for_each_ar(ah, ar, i)
@@ -9121,6 +9116,9 @@ static int ath12k_mac_op_start(struct ieee80211_hw *hw)
 	struct ath12k *ar;
 	int ret, i;
 
+	if (ath12k_ftm_mode)
+		return -EPERM;
+
 	lockdep_assert_wiphy(hw->wiphy);
 
 	ath12k_drain_tx(ah);