diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath10k/mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath10k/mac.c
index eaa0182e001de..2cc0cbadd3795 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath10k/mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath10k/mac.c
@@ -1738,7 +1738,14 @@ static int ath10k_mac_vif_setup_ps(struct ath10k_vif *arvif)
 		enable_ps = false;
 	}
 
-	if (enable_ps) {
+	if (!arvif->is_started) {
+		/* mac80211 can update vif powersave state while disconnected.
+		 * Firmware doesn't behave nicely and consumes more power than
+		 * necessary if PS is disabled on a non-started vdev. Hence
+		 * force-enable PS for non-running vdevs.
+		 */
+		psmode = WMI_STA_PS_MODE_ENABLED;
+	} else if (enable_ps) {
 		psmode = WMI_STA_PS_MODE_ENABLED;
 		param = WMI_STA_PS_PARAM_INACTIVITY_TIME;