diff --git a/mt76_connac_mac.c b/mt76_connac_mac.c
index f0f5d182..0f6738ad 100644
--- a/mt76_connac_mac.c
+++ b/mt76_connac_mac.c
@@ -1069,6 +1069,10 @@ int mt76_connac2_mac_fill_rx_rate(struct mt76_dev *dev,
 		bw = FIELD_GET(MT_CRXV_FRAME_MODE, v2);
 	}
 
+	/* the hardware reports NSTS; report the data NSS for STBC frames */
+	if (stbc && nss > 1)
+		nss >>= 1;
+
 	switch (*mode) {
 	case MT_PHY_TYPE_CCK:
 		cck = true;
diff --git a/mt7996/mac.c b/mt7996/mac.c
index f7ecc52e..715d3534 100644
--- a/mt7996/mac.c
+++ b/mt7996/mac.c
@@ -294,6 +294,10 @@ mt7996_mac_fill_rx_rate(struct mt7996_dev *dev,
 	dcm = FIELD_GET(MT_PRXV_DCM, v2);
 	bw = FIELD_GET(MT_PRXV_FRAME_MODE, v2);
 
+	/* the hardware reports NSTS; report the data NSS for STBC frames */
+	if (stbc && nss > 1)
+		nss >>= 1;
+
 	switch (*mode) {
 	case MT_PHY_TYPE_CCK:
 		cck = true;