diff --git a/mt7996/mac.c b/mt7996/mac.c
index e4140f6e..0872ed87 100644
--- a/mt7996/mac.c
+++ b/mt7996/mac.c
@@ -2890,6 +2890,8 @@ void mt7996_mac_sta_rc_work(struct work_struct *work)
 	LIST_HEAD(list);
 	u32 changed;
 
+	mutex_lock(&dev->mt76.mutex);
+
 	spin_lock_bh(&dev->mt76.sta_poll_lock);
 	list_splice_init(&dev->sta_rc_list, &list);
 
@@ -2922,6 +2924,8 @@ void mt7996_mac_sta_rc_work(struct work_struct *work)
 	}
 
 	spin_unlock_bh(&dev->mt76.sta_poll_lock);
+
+	mutex_unlock(&dev->mt76.mutex);
 }
 
 void mt7996_mac_work(struct work_struct *work)