diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
index 58f94c3f5e94..34474edefc97 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/hw.c
@@ -1212,6 +1212,14 @@ struct ath_hal *ath9k_hw_attach(u16 devid, struct ath_softc *sc,
 static void ath9k_hw_override_ini(struct ath_hal *ah,
 				  struct ath9k_channel *chan)
 {
+	/*
+	 * Set the RX_ABORT and RX_DIS and clear if off only after
+	 * RXE is set for MAC. This prevents frames with corrupted
+	 * descriptor status.
+	 */
+	REG_SET_BIT(ah, AR_DIAG_SW, (AR_DIAG_RX_DIS | AR_DIAG_RX_ABORT));
+
+
 	if (!AR_SREV_5416_V20_OR_LATER(ah) ||
 	    AR_SREV_9280_10_OR_LATER(ah))
 		return;
diff --git a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/mac.c b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/mac.c
index 5254ea49f8ac..af32d091dc38 100644
--- a/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/mac.c
+++ b/drivers/net/wireless/ath9k/mac.c
@@ -916,12 +916,11 @@ void ath9k_hw_rxena(struct ath_hal *ah)
 
 void ath9k_hw_startpcureceive(struct ath_hal *ah)
 {
-	REG_CLR_BIT(ah, AR_DIAG_SW, (AR_DIAG_RX_DIS | AR_DIAG_RX_ABORT));
-
 	ath9k_enable_mib_counters(ah);
 
 	ath9k_ani_reset(ah);
 
+	REG_CLR_BIT(ah, AR_DIAG_SW, (AR_DIAG_RX_DIS | AR_DIAG_RX_ABORT));
 }
 
 void ath9k_hw_stoppcurecv(struct ath_hal *ah)