diff --git a/net/mac80211/sta_info.h b/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
index 2a04361b2162..e37f00969526 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
+++ b/net/mac80211/sta_info.h
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@
  * @WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER: Station is a TDLS peer.
  * @WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER_AUTH: This TDLS peer is authorized to send direct
  *	packets. This means the link is enabled.
+ * @WLAN_STA_TDLS_INITIATOR: We are the initiator of the TDLS link with this
+ *	station.
  * @WLAN_STA_UAPSD: Station requested unscheduled SP while driver was
  *	keeping station in power-save mode, reply when the driver
  *	unblocks the station.
@@ -76,6 +78,7 @@ enum ieee80211_sta_info_flags {
 	WLAN_STA_PSPOLL,
 	WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER,
 	WLAN_STA_TDLS_PEER_AUTH,
+	WLAN_STA_TDLS_INITIATOR,
 	WLAN_STA_UAPSD,
 	WLAN_STA_SP,
 	WLAN_STA_4ADDR_EVENT,
diff --git a/net/mac80211/tdls.c b/net/mac80211/tdls.c
index f7185338a0fa..b01b3104b445 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/tdls.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/tdls.c
@@ -203,6 +203,7 @@ ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 	struct sk_buff *skb = NULL;
 	bool send_direct;
 	const u8 *init_addr, *rsp_addr;
+	struct sta_info *sta;
 	int ret;
 
 	skb = dev_alloc_skb(local->hw.extra_tx_headroom +
@@ -245,32 +246,40 @@ ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 	if (extra_ies_len)
 		memcpy(skb_put(skb, extra_ies_len), extra_ies, extra_ies_len);
 
-	/* sanity check for initiator */
+	rcu_read_lock();
+	sta = sta_info_get(sdata, peer);
+
+	/* infer the initiator if we can, to support old userspace */
 	switch (action_code) {
 	case WLAN_TDLS_SETUP_REQUEST:
+		if (sta)
+			set_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_TDLS_INITIATOR);
+		/* fall-through */
 	case WLAN_TDLS_SETUP_CONFIRM:
 	case WLAN_TDLS_DISCOVERY_REQUEST:
-		if (!initiator) {
-			ret = -EINVAL;
-			goto fail;
-		}
+		initiator = true;
 		break;
 	case WLAN_TDLS_SETUP_RESPONSE:
+		/*
+		 * In some testing scenarios, we send a request and response.
+		 * Make the last packet sent take effect for the initiator
+		 * value.
+		 */
+		if (sta)
+			clear_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_TDLS_INITIATOR);
+		/* fall-through */
 	case WLAN_PUB_ACTION_TDLS_DISCOVER_RES:
-		if (initiator) {
-			ret = -EINVAL;
-			goto fail;
-		}
+		initiator = false;
 		break;
 	case WLAN_TDLS_TEARDOWN:
 		/* any value is ok */
 		break;
 	default:
 		ret = -ENOTSUPP;
-		goto fail;
+		break;
 	}
 
-	if (initiator) {
+	if (initiator || (sta && test_sta_flag(sta, WLAN_STA_TDLS_INITIATOR))) {
 		init_addr = sdata->vif.addr;
 		rsp_addr = peer;
 	} else {
@@ -278,6 +287,10 @@ ieee80211_tdls_prep_mgmt_packet(struct wiphy *wiphy, struct net_device *dev,
 		rsp_addr = sdata->vif.addr;
 	}
 
+	rcu_read_unlock();
+	if (ret < 0)
+		goto fail;
+
 	ieee80211_tdls_add_link_ie(skb, init_addr, rsp_addr,
 				   sdata->u.mgd.bssid);