diff --git a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
index ba2bf8f0a347..952d8dd0676c 100644
--- a/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
+++ b/net/mac80211/ieee80211_sta.c
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@
 #include <linux/wireless.h>
 #include <linux/random.h>
 #include <linux/etherdevice.h>
-#include <linux/rtnetlink.h>
 #include <net/iw_handler.h>
 #include <asm/types.h>
 
@@ -2107,12 +2106,9 @@ static int ieee80211_sta_config_auth(struct net_device *dev,
 	struct ieee80211_sta_bss *bss, *selected = NULL;
 	int top_rssi = 0, freq;
 
-	rtnl_lock();
-
 	if (!ifsta->auto_channel_sel && !ifsta->auto_bssid_sel &&
 	    !ifsta->auto_ssid_sel) {
 		ifsta->state = IEEE80211_AUTHENTICATE;
-		rtnl_unlock();
 		ieee80211_sta_reset_auth(dev, ifsta);
 		return 0;
 	}
@@ -2155,7 +2151,6 @@ static int ieee80211_sta_config_auth(struct net_device *dev,
 		ieee80211_sta_set_bssid(dev, selected->bssid);
 		ieee80211_rx_bss_put(dev, selected);
 		ifsta->state = IEEE80211_AUTHENTICATE;
-		rtnl_unlock();
 		ieee80211_sta_reset_auth(dev, ifsta);
 		return 0;
 	} else {
@@ -2166,7 +2161,6 @@ static int ieee80211_sta_config_auth(struct net_device *dev,
 		} else
 			ifsta->state = IEEE80211_DISABLED;
 	}
-	rtnl_unlock();
 	return -1;
 }