diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
index d4d831566a894..04e966830c188 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath/ath11k/qmi.c
@@ -2960,7 +2960,11 @@ static void ath11k_qmi_driver_event_work(struct work_struct *work)
 				clear_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_CRASH_FLUSH,
 					  &ab->dev_flags);
 				clear_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_RECOVERY, &ab->dev_flags);
-				ath11k_core_qmi_firmware_ready(ab);
+				ret = ath11k_core_qmi_firmware_ready(ab);
+				if (ret) {
+					set_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_QMI_FAIL, &ab->dev_flags);
+					break;
+				}
 				set_bit(ATH11K_FLAG_REGISTERED, &ab->dev_flags);
 			}