diff --git a/mt76x2_mac.c b/mt76x2_mac.c
index 0ce8fe3a..d2ae093b 100644
--- a/mt76x2_mac.c
+++ b/mt76x2_mac.c
@@ -235,7 +235,7 @@ void mt76x2_mac_write_txwi(struct mt76x2_dev *dev, struct mt76x2_txwi *txwi,
 	}
 
 	spin_lock_bh(&dev->mt76.lock);
-	if (rate->idx < 0 || !rate->count) {
+	if (wcid && (rate->idx < 0 || !rate->count)) {
 		txwi->rate = wcid->tx_rate;
 		max_txpwr_adj = wcid->max_txpwr_adj;
 		nss = wcid->tx_rate_nss;