diff --git a/net/mac80211/tx.c b/net/mac80211/tx.c
index 67b509edd431..85d01646abf5 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/tx.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/tx.c
@@ -1409,10 +1409,17 @@ int ieee80211_subif_start_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb,
 		goto fail;
 	}
 
-	sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr.addr1);
-	if (sta) {
-		sta_flags = sta->flags;
-		sta_info_put(sta);
+	/*
+	 * There's no need to try to look up the destination
+	 * if it is a multicast address (which can only happen
+	 * in AP mode)
+	 */
+	if (!is_multicast_ether_addr(hdr.addr1)) {
+		sta = sta_info_get(local, hdr.addr1);
+		if (sta) {
+			sta_flags = sta->flags;
+			sta_info_put(sta);
+		}
 	}
 
 	/* receiver is QoS enabled, use a QoS type frame */
@@ -1422,10 +1429,12 @@ int ieee80211_subif_start_xmit(struct sk_buff *skb,
 	}
 
 	/*
-	 * If port access control is enabled, drop frames to unauthorised
-	 * stations unless they are EAPOL frames from the local station.
+	 * If port access control is enabled, drop unicast frames to
+	 * unauthorised stations unless they are EAPOL frames from the
+	 * local station.
 	 */
 	if (unlikely(sdata->ieee802_1x_pac &&
+		     !is_multicast_ether_addr(hdr.addr1) &&
 		     !(sta_flags & WLAN_STA_AUTHORIZED) &&
 		     !(ethertype == ETH_P_PAE &&
 		       compare_ether_addr(dev->dev_addr,