diff --git a/mt7996/mac.c b/mt7996/mac.c
index 367b51ae..9f03f988 100644
--- a/mt7996/mac.c
+++ b/mt7996/mac.c
@@ -1030,6 +1030,11 @@ int mt7996_tx_prepare_skb(struct mt76_dev *mdev, void *txwi_ptr,
 				       IEEE80211_TX_CTRL_MLO_LINK);
 	}
 
+	/* non-MLD frames are LINK_UNSPECIFIED; use the wcid's own link */
+	if (link_id == IEEE80211_LINK_UNSPECIFIED &&
+	    wcid != &dev->mt76.global_wcid)
+		link_id = wcid->link_id;
+
 	if (link_id != wcid->link_id && link_id != IEEE80211_LINK_UNSPECIFIED) {
 		if (msta) {
 			struct mt7996_sta_link *msta_link =